The Man Who Sees Ghosts Read Free Page B

ideas that his maturer judgmenthad dismissed now claimed his attention once more. He went to one side with the Sicilian, with whom I heard him negotiating most urgently.
    “You see a man before you,” he continued, “burning with impatience to know for certain about this important matter. Whoever were to scatter my doubts in this and lift the veil from my eyes, him I would embrace as my benefactor and first friend of my heart—would you be willing to perform this great service for me?”
    “What are you asking of me?” said the magician cautiously.
    “Simply a demonstration of your skill in the first instance. Let me see an apparition.”
    “What would that lead to?”
    “Then when you know me better you may judge as to whether I am worthy to receive higher instruction.”
    “I have the highest regard for you, great Prince. In your countenance resides a secret power that you yourself have no knowledge of as yet and this it was that bound me to you from the first. You are mightier than you yourself realise. All my powers are completely at your command—but—”
    “Then let me see an apparition.”
    “I must, however, first be sure that you do not ask this of me out of idle curiosity. Although unseen forces do in some measure obey me, this is on the sacred condition that I do not profane the sacred secrets, that I do not misuse my power.”
    “My intentions are of the purest. I want the truth.”
    At this point they moved away to a window further off where I could no longer hear them. The Englishman,who had likewise been privy to this conversation, drew me to one side.
    “Your prince is a noble man. To let himself get mixed up with a swindler I find all the more deplorable.”
    “That depends,” I said, “on how he will manage to pull out of the transaction.”
    “I tell you what,” said the Englishman, “the wretched devil will now slap a high price on his services. He’ll not display his skills until he hears the clink of money. There are nine of us. Let us make a collection and tempt him with a substantial sum. That will both prove his undoing and open the Prince’s eyes.”
    “I’ll go along with that.”
    The Englishman threw six guineas onto a plate and went round everyone in turn making a collection. Each one contributed some louis; our proposal seemed to be of uncommon interest to the Russian in particular, who placed a one hundred zechin banknote on the plate—an extravagance that astonished the Englishman. We took the collection to the Prince. “Please be so good,” said the Englishman, “to intercede with this gentleman on our behalf that he might let us see a demonstration of his skill and accept this small proof of our appreciation.” The Prince added a costly ring to the plate, which he then offered to the Sicilian. The latter hesitated a few moments. “My good gentlemen and patrons,” he began, “I feel humbled by this generosity.—It would appear you have misjudged me—but I will yield to your demands. Your wish will be granted” and he gave the bell-pull a tug. “As regards this money, to which I myself have no right, you will allow me to deposit it with the nearestBenedictine cloister as a charitable donation. This ring I will retain as a treasured memento to remind me of the worthiest of Princes.”
    At this point the landlord entered, to whom he handed over the money.
    “He’s a rogue nevertheless,” the Englishman spoke in my ear. “He’s surrendering the money because now he’s more concerned with the Prince.”
    “Or because the landlord is acting on orders,” said another.
    “Whom would you like?” the magician now asked the Prince.
    The Prince hesitated a moment —
    “Best make it a great man,” cried the English milord. “Call up the Ganganelli Pope. It won’t cost that gentleman much either.”
    The Sicilian bit his lip. “I am not permitted to summon anyone who has been ordained.”
    “That’s too bad,” said the Englishman. “We might have