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 = W^^ 
 
The Conjurer 
 
 A Dramatic Mystery in Three Acts 
 
 By 
 MANSFIELD SCOTT 
 
 Author of **The Air-Spy," "The Submarine Shell,'' etc. 
 
 The professional stage rights in this play are reserved by the 
 author, and all persons wishing to produce it publicly and for 
 profit should apply for permission to the author in care of the 
 publishers. For amateur performances given before the general 
 public under advertisement and for profit a royalty of ^lo.oo for 
 the first and $5.00 each for succeeding performances is required. 
 This is payable to the publishers at any time before the perform- 
 ance. Schools may produce it without payment of any royalty. 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
 1919 
 

 ^ 
 
 The Conjurer 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Inspector Malcome Steele. 
 
 George Clifford. 
 
 Captain Frank Drummond Gleason. 
 
 Lieutenant Hamilton Warwick. 
 
 Colonel VVillard Anderson. 
 
 Driscoll Wells. 
 
 Doctor Gordon Peak. 
 
 Detective White. 
 
 Marion Anderson. 
 
 Edith Anderson. 
 
 Ellen Gleason. 
 
 Dorothy Elmstrom. 
 
 SYNOPSIS 
 
 Act I — The home of Colonel Anderson (Friday evening). 
 Act II.— The office of Inspector Steele (Saturday afternoon). 
 Act III.— The same as Act II (Saturday evening). 
 
 ^^^^^6-00 73, 
 
 Copyright, 1919, by J. Mansfield Scott 
 As author and proprieto/. 
 
 All rights reserved, 
 ©aO 51471 
 
 MAR 25 1913 
 
DIAGRAMS 
 (See page 28 and 29) 
 
 50 
 
 Larfio 
 
 o 
 
 Chftir. 
 
 10 
 
 Box. 
 
 □ 
 
 Electrio 
 
 O 
 
 Lamp. 
 
 Sneill Q 
 
 TaW»», Colonel 
 Anderson, 
 
 Ohair.Q 
 Chair. ( O ) Chair. 
 Ellen Gl©aBon.(o) (O^ 
 Chair. (OJ Edith anderson 
 
 Dorothy ElmBtrom, 
 Chair, (o) 
 
 Marion AndWBWl. 
 
 Chair. ^) 
 
 DrieooU V«lla* 
 
 Frank Gl«aeon. 
 Door 
 Chair. 
 
 ■..\ 
 
 POSITIONS BEFORE THE THEFT. 
 
 / 
 
 Book-oase. 
 
 Chair 
 
 • o 
 
 Ellen Gleason. 
 
 Chair, 
 
 Table. 
 
 STdtch 
 
 Door. 
 
 Lar»e 
 
 o 
 
 Chair. 
 
 o 
 
 Clifford. 
 
 Ip. Electric 
 
 lu o 
 
 Box. ^^ 
 j 1 Lamp. 
 
 Chair 
 
 0^«- ■" owiT.cri.»» 
 Warwick ./^A <,x^„,„ ^ 
 
 Chair. , 
 
 O V-y '^^'*^* Prank Gleaeon. 
 
 Sinall Table. 
 
 Dorothy 
 Chair 
 
 Colonel Anderson. 
 Q Chair 
 
 Usurion Anderson. 
 
 O 
 Driscoll Wells 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 POSITIONS AFTER THE THEFT. 
 
PLEASE NOTICE 
 
 The acting rights of this play are strictly reserved. Perform- 
 ance may be given by amateurs on payment of a royalty of ten 
 dollars (^lo.oo) for the first, and $5.00 for each succeeding per- 
 formance. Correspondence on this subject should be addressed 
 to the publishers. The /r^T^jJW/^/' stage rights are also strictly 
 reserved, and performance by professional actors, given in adver- 
 tised places of amusement and for profit, is forbidden. Persons 
 who may wish to produce this play publicly and professionally 
 should apply to the author in care of the publishers. 
 
 Attention is called to the penalties provided by the Copyright 
 Law of the United States of America in force July i, 1909, for 
 any infringement of his rights, as follows : 
 
 Skc. 28. That any person who wilfully and for profit shall infringe any 
 Copyright secured by this Act, or who shall knowingly and wilfully aid 
 or abet such infringement, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and 
 upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment for not ex- 
 ceeding one year or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars, or both, 
 at the discretion of the court. 
 
 Sec. 29. That any person who, with fraudulent intent, shall insert or 
 impress any notice of Copyright required by this Act, or words of the 
 same purport, in or upon any uncopyrighted article, or with fraudulent in- 
 tent shall remove or alter the copyright notice upon any article duly copy- 
 righted shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less 
 than one hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars. 
 
The Conjurer 
 
 ACT I 
 
 SCENE. — The home of Colonel Anderson. Friday even- 
 ing. The scene is any well-furnished room. There is 
 a large rug, and plenty of chairs, but not very much 
 immovable furniture. Back near the wall, at l., there 
 is a table, upon which are arranged a number of books 
 and magazines, and a vase of flowers. There is a pic- 
 ture hanging in c, and also one at each end of the room, 
 on the wall at the side. The two doors are at the 
 sides. There is a switch close beside the door at l., and 
 directly under the picture hanging at that end. This 
 particular picture is a painting of General Grant. 
 
 (In the room are George Clifford, Captain Frank 
 Gleason, and Lieutenant Hamilton Warwick. 
 The last two named are in uniform. George Clif- 
 ford is a young man of about twenty-three. He is 
 of medium, height, with rather dark hair and com- 
 plexion, and might be called handsome. He is in- 
 clined to be a bit impulsive, but there is an air of 
 honesty and straightforward dealing in his manner 
 that makes him likeable. Captain Frank Gleason 
 is taller, and a little darker. He has a rather deep 
 voice, and at times he has a very irritating way of 
 making sarcastic comments. Lieutenant Hamil- 
 ton Warwick is very tall, with light complexion. 
 He is a dude. He knows everything that can be 
 known about war and military matters, and does not 
 hesitate to display his knowledge. George Clifford 
 is standing a little apart from his two companions. 
 
 5 
 
6 THE CONJURER 
 
 He is apparently engaged in a great mental struggle. 
 At length he raises his head, and turns to the others.) 
 
 Clifford. I can't ! 
 
 Gleason {in disgust). Can't! 
 
 Warwick. Oh, I say, George, hadn't you better re- 
 consider this? 
 
 Clif. Oh, I — I can't, Warwick. I've told you my 
 reasons. I can't, that's all. 
 
 Glea. Oh, come, come, Clifford! That's the most 
 ridiculous 
 
 Clif. Gleason, you're not fair to me. I've told you 
 again and again that I promised my mother I'd not 
 enlist, — and you know that's the reason why I haven't 
 done it ! 
 
 War. Clifford, that's absolutely the silliest excuse I 
 ever heard ! And the nonsensical claim that got you your 
 exemption was nothing less than laughable ! 
 
 Glea. What's the use of arguing with him, Hamie? 
 He's made up his mind that he won't fight for Uncle 
 Sam, and you might as well not talk to him. 
 
 Clif. Frank, I've told you 
 
 Glea. Oh, tommyrot ! 
 
 War. That's exactly what it is, Clifford, — tommyrot. 
 Your heart is absolutely normal in every way. That's 
 what three well-known doctors have said, and that's what 
 / say, too ! 
 
 Clif. I know that. But my grandfather's heart was 
 normal all his life, up to the age of forty. He died from 
 excitement, during a storm at sea. My father's heart 
 was normal, too, and he died at the age of twenty-nine, 
 because somebody fired a gun close behind him on a hunt- 
 ing trip. Mother feels that I couldn't stand fighting in 
 the trenches, and it's only fair to her that I should ask ex- 
 emption. If you think 
 
 Glea. No, I don't think! I know. It's a clever ex- 
 cuse that will fool our army doctors, but it doesn't fool 
 me, or Warwick either. You're a rotten coward, Clif- 
 ford! You haven't got the nerve to fight; you'd rather 
 let us fight for you, while you're home showing off your 
 playthings to a crowd of 
 
THE CONJURER 7 
 
 Clip, (hotly). Gleason, you've no right to say that! 
 I'm not afraid to fight, and I'm not afraid to die, and some 
 day I'll prove that to you ! I want to go to war ! But I 
 have a duty to mother ; I must consider her first ! And 
 as for your insult about my " playthings," let me tell you 
 that I am only using a God-given gift to raise money for 
 you fellows to fight with ! 
 
 War. (hastily). Oh, yes, I say, Frank, you didn't 
 mean it exactly that way, you know. 
 
 (The door at l. opens suddenly. Enter Marion 
 Anderson and Edith Anderson, followed by 
 Ellen Gleason and Colonel Willard Anderson. 
 Colonel Anderson is in uniform. Marion An- 
 derson is rather short of stature, quite pretty, with 
 dark complexion. Her sister Edith is light, and 
 taller. Ellen Gleason is the tallest of the three; 
 her complexion, in contrast to that of her brother, is 
 very light. Colonel Willard Anderson is a man 
 perhaps fifty years old. He is rather short and stout, 
 with moustache and hair slightly gray. He is ener- 
 getic in action and in speech.) 
 
 Colonel Anderson. Here are the rest of our guests 
 of honor. 
 
 (Gleason is still facing Clifford, in an attitude of con- 
 tempt. Edith Anderson and Ellen Gleason ap- 
 proach the three.) 
 
 Glea. {turning slowly). Thank you, Colonel Ander- 
 son. But I can't say that I find your remark a compli- 
 ment. 
 
 (Ellen Gleason stares at her brother in astonishment.) 
 
 Edith. Why, — why, Frank, what do you mean? 
 
 (Colonel Anderson comes forward, puzzled.) 
 
 War. {awkwardly)' Oh, I — I hardly think Frank 
 means all this, just as he said it, you know. 
 
 And. Well, just what did you mean, Frank? 
 
 Glea. {turning away from Clifford). Oh, nothing 
 at all. Colonel. 
 
S THE CONJURER 
 
 Clip. Colonel Anderson, I'll tell you exactly what he 
 meant. He meant that he doesn't care to have you class 
 him with me, that's all. Because I'm not in uniform 
 
 Ellen. Frank, you didn't say that ! 
 
 Marion (crossing quickly to Clifford). George, 
 what has happened? 
 
 Clif. He has insulted me, Marion, — intentionally. 
 
 Glea. (in disgust). Insulted him ! I told him that he 
 invented excuses to claim exemption, and I meant it. 
 He's no American ! 
 
 Marion (with indignation) . Captain Gleason ! I 
 
 And. Come, come, Frank. There's no reason to talk 
 this way. You know, and we all know, that George is 
 doing the very most he can for the country. He's been 
 taking hours away from his business every day. I'm sure 
 you'll apologize. 
 
 Glea. (slowly). Oh, — oh, very well. Colonel. Clif- 
 ford, I forgot myself. I'm sorry I said anything. 
 
 And. And let's not have any more of this strained 
 feeling, fellows. We don't want any unpleasant recol- 
 lections 
 
 Ellen (glancing out through the door at l.). Oh, 
 Mr. Wells has come ! 
 
 War. Oh, good ! Let's go out, Ellen, and meet him. 
 
 Edith. Oh, yes. Come, Frank, we'll go, too. Don't 
 you think he's wonderful ? 
 
 Glea. I certainly never heard any one like him. 
 
 (Ellen Gleason and Warwick go out, followed by 
 Edith Anderson and Gleason. Colonel Ander- 
 son starts to follow them, but returns.) 
 
 And. George, you mustn't feel hurt about this. I 
 wouldn't have you uncomfortable for the world. 
 
 Clif. Please don't feel anxious about me. I — I don't 
 mind it a bit. 
 
 Marion. But I know you do mind it, George. And 
 I mind it. (She pauses a moment.) Won't you please 
 change your decision, George? I know I've asked you 
 again and again, but I'm going to do it this once more. 
 Can't you, please, join the army, for my sake? 
 
THE CONJURER 9 
 
 Clif. Marion, you know I can't ! I'd do anything in 
 the world for you, and you know that, but I — I can't 
 break a promise to mother ! 
 
 Marion. Oh, George! You don't know how I 
 feel 
 
 And. You mustn't urge him this way, Marion. We 
 know he has the best of reasons 
 
 Marion. I can't help it, father ! I — I keep thinking 
 of Ediih, and of Ellen Gleason, and I see how proud they 
 are of Lieutenant Warwick, and — and Captain Gleason. 
 And — and the other girls all tell Edith and Ellen how 
 lucky they are, and — and they seem to pity me. Can't 
 you understand, father? I want George to do something 
 that he can be proud of ! 
 
 Clif. Oh, I know it, Marion ; I know it ! Every one 
 thinks I'm a coward 
 
 And. No one thinks that, George ! And as for Frank 
 and Hamilton, Marion, I'm very sure that neither of them 
 can say that he has already raised over six thousand 
 dollars for the use of our soldiers ! 
 
 Marion. I know, but 
 
 Enter Edith Anderson and Gleason, with Dorothy 
 Elmstrom. They are followed by Ellen Gleason, 
 and Warwick, with Driscoll Wells and Inspector 
 Malcome Steele. Dorothy Elmstrom is a young- 
 lady of medium height, zvith brown hair which is 
 neither light nor dark. Her voice is lozv, and she is 
 rather quiet, though when she converses she does so 
 in a convincing manner. Driscoll Wells is a small, 
 frail man, about thirty years of age. His health is 
 apparently very delicate, and his voice is a trifle 
 high-pitched. Inspector Steele is tall and power- 
 fully built. At ordinary times he is deliberate in 
 action and speech. One can make no definite esti- 
 mate as to his age. At times he seems forty; at 
 other times he has the quickness and sudden decision 
 of a man of thirty. His voice is distinctive, and 
 commands attention whenever he speaks. Colonel 
 Anderson greets Driscoll Wells and Inspector 
 Steele, 
 
10 THE CONJURER 
 
 And. Miss Elmstrom, let me present Mr. George Clif- 
 ford. (Clifford bows.) And, George, I think you met 
 Mr. Driscoll Wells here last winter. {They shake hands 
 cordially.) And, Mr. Steele 
 
 Inspector Steele {shaking hands with Clifford). 
 Yes, indeed, Colonel. Clifford, I am glad to see you 
 again. 
 
 Dorothy {glancing at Clifford with recognition). 
 Oh, Mr. — Mr. Clifford, aren't you — are you *' Professor 
 Harkman " ? 
 
 And. {laughing). Then you've discovered that al- 
 ready, Miss Elmstrom! 
 
 Dor. I have! {She turns to Clifford.) I certainly 
 enjoyed your performance at the Brookside Club Wednes- 
 day evening. 
 
 Clif. Oh, then you vjtr^ there Wednesday ? 
 
 Dor. Yes. You see, I have been visiting here with 
 Marion ever since I came across from Berlin Monday. 
 Louise Chapman, another of my old friends, invited me 
 to the club Wednesday. I think yoiu" performance was 
 the most mysterious and marvellous exhibition I ever 
 saw. 
 
 Steele. Then you've given another performance 
 since last Saturday, Mr. Clifford. I saw you then, at 
 Wendell Hall. 
 
 And. I was there Saturday, too. 
 
 Steele. You must have raised quite a sum at that 
 time, judging from the attendance. 
 
 Clif. We cleared between five and six hundred dol- 
 lars Saturday, and about four hundred, I believe, at the 
 club Wednesday. 
 
 Ellen. Why, I never knew that ! Did you, Hamil- 
 ton? " 
 
 War. Why, I — I certainly think it's remarkable ! 
 
 Steele. You have a wonderful ability, Clifford. 
 
 And. And he is putting it to a most excellent use. I 
 maintain, friends, that the men who carry muskets are not 
 the only ones who serve America. The man who sup- 
 plies those muskets, in my opinion, does as much as the 
 fighters, and every bit as much ! 
 
 Dor. I certainly agree with you, Colonel Anderson. 
 
THE CONJURER II 
 
 War. To tell the truth, I'm of practically the same 
 opinion myself. 
 
 Glea. And I agree, too. Colonel, provided that the 
 man who remains at home to do this is not physically 
 able to do his real duty at the front. 
 
 Dor. But if a person is more fitted for specialized 
 service at home, I think he should give that service. 
 
 Glea. True enough, Miss Elmstrom. But some of 
 these forms of service are, essentially, for the physically 
 unfit. 
 
 (Dorothy laughs.) 
 
 Dor. As I have understood your argument. Captain 
 Gleason, you would seem to suggest, for instance, that 
 the head of our American Secret Service, Inspector 
 Steele, should enlist for trench service, and leave his 
 duties to the physically unfit ! {A hearty laugh from 
 Colonel Anderson. Gleason is uncomfortable.) Or, 
 perhaps, that Dr. Gordon Peak had better have gone to 
 Europe. And in regard to Mr. Clifford, I think that his 
 course has been most admirable, in every way ! 
 
 Clif. Oh, I — this is certainly very kind of you, Miss 
 Elmstrom ! 
 
 Wells. I understand. Colonel Anderson, that Dr. 
 Peak is at present your guest. 
 
 And. Fm greatly honored to be able to say that he is. 
 He has spent the past two days with us. He hasn't been 
 very well to-day, but I expect him down soon. 
 
 Marion. It seems wonderful that we really have him 
 here with us ! 
 
 Glea. Then you think that Dr. Peak's discovery will 
 prove to be of some real value ? 
 
 Steele. It is certainly one of the greatest steps that 
 our country has taken in this war. 
 
 Glea. (surprised). You really believe so! But the 
 Government, you know, doesn't see it that way. At 
 Washington they say his scheme is impracticable. 
 
 War. And that is precisely the way it seemed to me. 
 
 Steele. I'm sorry to say that our Government of- 
 ficials have been exceedingly slow in this matter. It has 
 taken weeks where it should have taken days. Until 
 
12 THE CONJURER 
 
 they have satisfied themselves, beyond the last possible 
 question, that Dr. Peak's amyl compound will do all that 
 he claims it will do, they won't buy it. 
 
 And. It's maddening. Why, they won't even pay Dr. 
 Peak enough to settle the debt which he incurred in his 
 research work on this compound until they have tested 
 It to their own satisfaction. 
 
 Ellen. Is that really true ? 
 
 And. It certainly is. Perhaps you can imagine how 
 matters stand. When a man has given over practically 
 all his capital to such a work for the nation, and has run 
 up a debt which is really very great,— if he won't accept 
 so large a loan,— what is he going to do? Of course T 
 know the doctor is sensitive about this, and I shouldn't 
 have spoken of it, but it— it isn't fair. 
 
 Wells. But please tell me just what Dr. Peak has 
 done. 
 
 And. Why, Mr. Wells, don't you know? 
 
 Wells {shaking his head with a smile). I really 
 don't One hears very little of America when he is 
 travelling abroad. 
 
 Marion. I thought every one must have heard of 
 this. All England must know about it, for 
 
 Steele. And Germany, too. Miss Anderson 
 
 Edith. But there is Dr. Peak now, in the library. 
 Do come m, every one, and meet him. 
 
 {They turn, and follow her through the door at R. 
 Clifford starts to go with the others, hut Colonel 
 Anderson puts his hand on his shoulder and keeps 
 htm until all have gone.) 
 
 And. George, I'm terribly sorry that Frank has 
 started this kind of talk. I wouldn't have had it happen 
 tor the world, especially after the unpleasantness we had 
 here yesterday, between Miss Elmstrom and Dr. Peak. 
 I know you must be troubled 
 
 Clif. No, Colonel, no. I don't mind. You know 
 1 m not a coward. You know I'm only waiting for a 
 chance to be of real service to America. And if that 
 chance ever comes 
 
THE CONJURER I3 
 
 (Inspector Steele reenters from R.) 
 
 Steele. Pardon me for overhearing, and interrupt- 
 ing, please, but — that chance may come a great deal 
 sooner than you have expected. 
 
 Clif. Why, Mr. Steele ! 
 
 Steele (turning to Colonel Anderson). And I want 
 to thank you now, Colonel, for your willingness to have 
 me here, an uninvited guest, at this time. I must seem 
 out of place among your young friends 
 
 And. Not in the least, Mr. Steele. Whatever your 
 reason for asking to come, you may be sure I'm glad to 
 have you, 
 
 Steele. That's very kind of you. But I'll not keep 
 you wondering any longer. (He glances back toward the 
 door.) I had a code message from my chief detective, 
 Clapp, yesterday afternoon. For the past year or two, 
 Clapp has been hot on the trail of certain German agents 
 operating in this part of the country. He has been par- 
 ticularly interested, of late, in a certain William Kurtz, 
 and, according to his statement about a week ago, he has 
 this man just where he wants him. 
 
 And. I see. 
 
 Steele. But Kurtz has not yet been arrested; Clapp 
 feels that by letting him go on, apparently unsuspected, 
 for a few days longer, we can locate several of those who 
 are working together with Kurtz. Clapp got one of their 
 secret dispatches yesterday. He declares to me. Colonel, 
 that a confederate of this Kurtz intends to make an at- 
 tempt to learn Dr. Gordon Peak's amyl gas process while 
 the doctor is your guest in this house ! 
 
 (Anderson and Clifford start.) 
 
 And. Inspector, this is impossible! A spy in my 
 home ? Who ? 
 
 Steele. That is just what Clapp was unable to find 
 out. And that is what I must find out, with your help, 
 here to-night. 
 
 And. But, Mr. Steele, this can't be true ! 
 
 Steele. Perhaps it isn't. But I know Clapp wouldn't 
 
14 THE CONJURER 
 
 send such a message unless he were pretty sure of his 
 ground. And, at all events, I can't afford to take a 
 chance. 
 And. How do you propose to find out ? 
 Steele. That will depend. Besides ourselves and the 
 doctor, there are seven here, are there not ? I mean in- 
 cludnig your daughters. ' 
 
 And. Yes, seven in all. Besides Marion and Edith, 
 there is Ellen Gleason, and her brother, Captain Gleason. 
 Steele. He is one of the young men in uniform. 
 And. Yes. The other is Lieutenant Warwick. I got 
 up this little party in their honor; they both sail for 
 1^ ranee Monday. Then there is Mr. Driscoll Wells Of 
 course you've heard of him. 
 Steele. The pianist. Yes, indeed. 
 And. He has just returned from a trip in Europe: 
 he s been travelling over a year 
 
 Steele. And the other,-Miss Elmstrom. She has 
 
 also been travelling 
 
 . And^ No, not travelling. She has spent four vears 
 m Berlin, studying music. She plays the violin. "' Mr. 
 bteele, we can t think that of any of these people,— a spy » 
 Your man didn't say it would be attempted to-night ! 
 
 Steele. But no other time is possible. Please don't 
 worry, Colonel ; they haven't a chance in the world of 
 doing It. Why, do you think they could torture it out 
 of the doctor, here in your house? But, if any one here 
 has the desire to do it, he'll show it, provided we give him 
 the chance ! 
 
 Clip. But, Mr. Steele, what chance 
 
 Steele. That's just where you come in ! The thought 
 struck me about five minutes ago, when I heard th?m 
 talking about your feats on the stage. Will you help me, 
 11 you can ? J f t 
 
 Clip. Of course I will ! But what on earth 
 
 tl.. !n^^^ ' '^" y°"- "^o" ^'^ a book niysterv near 
 rnir t, ^°"'' P"f°™ance last Saturday,-an experi- 
 
 Z L?"'^-.^" ^°""<^ °"' ^ *°=«n word, which some 
 one had written on paper and had locked inside a metal 
 
 Cup. Yes! A simple psychology experiment 
 
THE CONJURER 15 
 
 Steele. That's it. Just how much preparation would 
 you need, in order to do that trick here this evening? 
 Clif. Absolutely none ! I could do it anywhere, at 
 
 any time. - ,• , i 
 
 Steele. Good. Will you do it for us a little later, 
 if some one asks you? 
 
 Clif. Of course I will. I always come ready to do 
 two or three experiments, if I am asked. But, Inspector, 
 what on earth 
 
 Steele. Listen. You'll do it once. Understand? 
 Then I want Colonel Anderson to declare that the trick 
 is a fake,— that it could not be done except with certain 
 kinds of words. You will declare that it could, no matter 
 what words were chosen. We will both express great 
 doubt of that. Now, you are a good actor. You must 
 be natural. I want you to remark, in a perfectly or- 
 dinary, unaffected manner, that you could do it,— even if 
 Dr. Gordon Peak should write his process for amyl 
 trench gas ! 
 
 And. Inspector, that's the cleverest scheme I ever 
 
 heard! ,^ ^ . 
 
 Clif. Ah, now I understand it! But, Mr. Steele, 
 you— you don't want me to let him write it ! 
 
 Steele. No! No! Not under any circumstances I 
 I simply want you to suggest this,— to put the thought 
 suddenly into every one's mind. 
 
 Clif. By Jove, that's clever! Then you intend to 
 use your power to read expressions 
 
 Steele. You have it. And if any one makes a slip, 
 we'll get him! Remember, nothing but the suggestion. 
 Dr. Peak would never consent to anything more, anyway. 
 And, Colonel, we'd better tell the doctor of this before 
 
 we try it. ^ .,,11 u 
 
 And. I wouldn't! He has been ill to-day; he would 
 
 probably be unnatural about it, and spoil the whole test. 
 
 Take my advice ^,.rr -, ^ i_ 
 
 Steele. Here they are. Now, Clifford, please be 
 
 natural ! 
 
 Enter Marion, Ellen, Edith, Dorothy, Driscoll 
 Wells, Dr. Gordon Peak, Frank Gleason, and 
 
l6 THE CONJURER 
 
 Hamilton Warwick. Wells is conversing with 
 Dr. Peak. Dr. Gordon Peak is a tall, frail man, 
 about the age of Colonel Anderson. The notice- 
 able roundness of his shoulders, his rather pale 
 countenance, his hair which has begun to turn gray, 
 and the slight nervousness of his speech and man- 
 ner, — all bear witness to the years of toil which he 
 has spent in the laboratory. 
 
 Wells. I suppose you'll be astounded by this, Dr. 
 Peak, but even now I don't know the first thing about 
 your discovery. 
 
 Dor. We have all heard so much, and we don't 
 really know a thing about it ! 
 
 (Dr. Peak has started to reply, but he stops instantly 
 when Dorothy Elmstrom addresses him. He an- 
 swers her a bit stiffly. ) 
 
 Dr. Peak. There is not very much that I feel I can 
 say, Miss Elmstrom. Oh, good-evening, Mr. Clifford 
 
 {He conies^ forward and shakes hands with him.) 
 
 Wells. But — er — do I understand that you have dis- 
 covered some kind of poison. Dr. 
 
 Peak. Oh, yes, Mr. Wells. Yes, it is a poison. Or, 
 rather, I have merely discovered the process by which 
 amyl nitrite can be converted into this substance. 
 
 Wells. Oh, amyl nitrite. 
 
 Steele. Certainly an excellent basis for any trench- 
 bombing compound. 
 
 Wells. But just what is the effect of this amyl com- 
 pound, Dr. Peak? 
 
 Peak. It is really very much the same as in the use 
 of amyl nitrite, except that the result is much more seri- 
 ous. There is a very great acceleration of the beating of 
 the heart, accompanied by a pounding sensation in the 
 head, and dizziness. Perhaps some of you have had ex- 
 perience with amyl nitrite. 
 
 War. Ah, yes, indeed! The stuff they use to pre- 
 serve bananas ! 
 
THE CONJURER 1 7 
 
 Steele (laughing).' Not exactly that, Lieutenant 
 Warwick, although its odor is somewhat the same. I 
 have used it a little. It brings an indescribable sensation. 
 It — it .frightens one ! 
 
 Peak. That is exactly what I have counted upon. I 
 had designed it especially for use just before a charge 
 upon an enemy trench. The compound is expensive, and 
 could not be used for ordinary gas work. 
 
 Glea. Then you had intended it to be thrown by the 
 men in our trenches ? 
 
 Peak. Precisely. Suppose that our soldiers have 
 planned a surprise attack. A bomb loaded with this new 
 substance is thrown into the enemy's trench, and ex- 
 plodes. My process makes the new gas heavier than 
 air. It would sink into the trench, and the present form 
 of gas mask coiild not neutralize its effect. 
 
 Clif. But is this gas deadly? 
 
 Peak. Indeed it is. In excess it would stimulate the 
 heart so much that death would occur almost instantly. 
 But suppose that the enemy received only a part of its 
 full effect. They would be dizzy. Their hearts would be 
 pounding at a terrific pace'. Accurate shooting would be 
 out of the question. Add to that a terrible feeling of 
 fear which they could not explain. When our attack 
 came 
 
 Clip. By Jove, this is wonderful, Dr. Peak ! 
 
 Marion. And to think that Germany can do nothing 
 against it ! 
 
 Steele (quickly). Yes, indeed, if we could think 
 that. 
 
 Dor. Do you believe there is some means of their pre- 
 paring against this? 
 
 Peak. But, Mr. Steele, I've spent months on just that 
 one question ! I don't see what they could do ! 
 
 Steele. There is just one thing that they could do. 
 That would be to gain the secret of this compound, and 
 later return the gas upon our own soldiers ! 
 
 (Dr. Peak gives a little start, and stares at the In- 
 spector. ) 
 
 Ellen. Hamilton, what a terrible thought ! 
 
l8 THE CONJURER 
 
 Peak. Oh! {He hesitates.- Then, in a slightly 
 changed tone. ) Then you mean — spies ? 
 
 Steele. Exactly. 
 
 Glea. {with a laugh). You can't be serious! 
 
 War. I really think this is all nonsense, Mr. Steele. 
 All this talk of spies! Why (laughing), you know, I've 
 never met a single spy since I enlisted I 
 
 Wells. But seriously, Mr. Steele! 
 
 Steele. I was never more serious. 
 
 Peak. Have you been expecting Germany to attempt 
 to steal this? 
 
 Steele. Dr. Peak, you realize that Germany must 
 know what you have done. Do you expect them to re- 
 main idle, when a determined effort might ward off this 
 danger? I don't. And I firmly believe. Dr. Peak, that 
 Germany will make that effort! 
 
 Wells. Fm certainly thankful that I'll not have to be 
 in the trenches ! 
 
 Peak. You were exempted, of course. 
 
 Wells. Yes. My eyes, you understand. 
 
 Edith. Besides, music could never get along without 
 you! 
 
 Peak (turning to Clifford). Your eyes, also, I 
 imagine, Mr. Clifford. 
 
 And. (quickly). Not such a very good guess for a 
 former heart specialist, Doctor. 
 
 Peak. Indeed! (Thoughtfully.) Then, of course, 
 you would not be justified in running such a risk. 
 
 And. And Mr. Clifford, also, is doing a great work 
 which could hardly spare him. To change the subject 
 from Avar, and from spies, Doctor, — perhaps you have 
 heard of " Professor Harkman." 
 
 Peak. I should say that I have ! (He turns to Clif- 
 ford zvith new interest.) I have certainly heard of you, 
 and of the funds you are raising for our army. I knew 
 I had seen your face ! 
 
 Clif. You've attended one of the performances ? 
 
 Peak.^ Indeed I have. (He shows almost as much 
 interest in the affair as the young people.) And let me 
 tell you, Mr. Clifford, that your performance was the 
 most marvellous, uncanny affair that. I ever witnessed! 
 
THE CONJURER 19 
 
 Why, from the moment that I first saw that — that in- 
 human book mystery of yours, I knew I could never 
 rest until I knew how it was done ! 
 
 And. That certainly was a clever piece of work ! 
 
 Edith. Why, what was this? 
 
 And. (laughing). I don't expect you people who 
 haven't seen it will believe this. But it's the truth. This 
 wizard (indicating Clifford) was blindfolded and was 
 seated in a chair with his back to the audience. Mean- 
 while, one of the spectators chose a word at random from 
 a large book, wrote it upon a small slip of paper, and 
 himself locked it inside a metal box. George then took 
 the book, and asked the gentleman three simple questions 
 on some other subject. He never went near that box, 
 but the man opened it and found the paper absolutely 
 blank ! And at the same instant George deliberately an- 
 nounced the chosen word ! 
 
 War. Colonel, that is — unbelievable ! 
 
 And; But I saw him do it. 
 
 Dor. So did I. 
 
 Peak. I should like to know how that thing was ever 
 done! 
 
 And. Well, now 
 
 Dor. (at the same instant). Why, / thought 
 
 And. Pardon me. Miss Elmstrom. What was your 
 idea about it ? 
 
 Dor. Oh, no, please tell your solution first. I — I 
 don't believe mine is right. 
 
 And. Well, in the first place, the whole affair was a 
 fake. 
 
 Clif. Afakef (In exaggerated surprise.) Colonel! 
 
 Peak. To me it's supernatural, that's all ! 
 
 Clif. Dr. Peak, there was absolutely nothing super- 
 natural about that experiment. It was merely science, — 
 scientific psychology. 
 
 (An exclamation of ridicule from Gleason.) 
 
 And. (with a hearty laugh). Scientific deception, per- 
 haps, George ! The thing was a stage trick, and could 
 be done only by stage devices. 
 
20 THE CONJURER 
 
 Clip No, Colonel. ' It is a scientific, mental phenome- 
 non, and could be done in any room, at any time. 
 
 War. a most improbable statement ! 
 
 And. You want us to believe that? In any ordinary 
 
 room, without {He hesitates.) Well, for instance, 
 
 m this room ! 
 
 Clip. Yes, indeed. In this room. 
 
 Dor. Oh, Colonel Anderson, let him try it ! 
 
 Peak {with real interest). Please do, Colonel 
 
 And. He can't do it ! It's preposterous ' 
 
 Clip. It is the truth. 
 
 {Incredulotis exclamations.) 
 
 And. Show us, then ! What do you need ^ 
 .u^"^- ,f^°^^^^^f except half of the room. I'd like 
 that smaller table, too, with the electric lamp on it 
 (Colonel Anderson brings it. ) Right here, please, near 
 the center of the room. Thank you. Colonel. I'm ready 
 now, if you people would be kind enough to move vour 
 chairs over to that side of the room. 
 
 {He indicates the side to the left of the table.) 
 
 And. You'll need a chair to use yourself, of course. 
 '^LiF. 1 11 take this large one, if I may. 
 
 {He places it about ten feet from the table, near the 
 door at r., with his back toward the table.) 
 
 Wells. You're a wizard if you can do It ' 
 Dor. He can ! 
 . Clif. Now, since we haven't any box to lock the paper 
 
 fi.-'^T' /S^' ^*"^^ ^ minute, now! We have that very 
 tnmg ! {He goes to a bookcase in the corner at r ) Here 
 IS a wooden box {indicating a dark, highly polished box 
 tZL"" ^jfi '"^''"'A ^^ ^^^^^^ ^ keep ^^^"^ble photo- 
 fZi; Vlf ^ ^^'^' ^^^ ^ ^^^e the key here. {He 
 /r^^f/^cW .f^'^^^ ^^^ '''' '^'' ^o^on the little 
 
 not nn / ^^'' ^T^- ) ^^^'^^ "se this, George. And it's 
 not one of your doctored stage-boxes! 
 
THE CONJURER 21 
 
 Clip, {laughing). Very well. I'll need one thing 
 more. A book, from which some one will choose a word. 
 
 And. Oh, yes, indeed. Just take your choice from 
 the bookcase beside you there. No ! Wait ! I'll choose 
 one for you! {He goes to the bookcase, and takes a 
 large black volume from the lower shelf.) Here, this is 
 " Military Chemistry." {He lays it on the little table.) 
 
 Clif. Now, then, friends, we are ready for the ex- 
 periment. I should like to have you bear carefully in 
 mind that I do not make the slightest claim that I have 
 superhuman mind-reading power. This is not sorcery. 
 It is an experiment in the psychology of the mind, and is 
 scientific in its method of execution. 
 
 Peak. Would you please explain more fully, Mr. 
 Clifford? 
 
 Clif. I'll try. I know Mr. Steele understands this 
 principle. You have all heard of his methods. It is 
 well known that a guilty person cannot talk to Inspector 
 Steele ten minutes without betraying himself. That is 
 Mr. Steele's science. This is my science, and its basic 
 principle is the same. (Dorothy Elmstrom stares at 
 Inspector Steele in wonder. Clifford, to Colonel 
 Anderson.) I'm sorry, but I am still subject to that 
 old magicians' superstition against performing with a 
 light at my back. Would it — could you manage to ar- 
 range it so that the electric lamp on the table would be 
 the only light? 
 
 And. Aha! So your science won't stand too much 
 light! {He laughs.) Well, we'll have to give you a 
 chance. 
 
 {He goes to the door at l., and turns one side of the 
 switch on the wall. The lights in the room, go out, 
 with the exception of the lamp on the table. The 
 light from this lamp is not exceptionally bright.) 
 
 Clif. Thank you. Now, of course it would be more 
 interesting to the others if they could know what word 
 you are choosing. I'll go out, while you make your 
 choice. 
 
 {He goes out to R., closing the door behind him. 
 
22 THE CONJURER 
 
 Colonel Anderson picks up the hook, and opens It 
 at random.) 
 
 Glea. Suppose you give him a taste of his own 
 " science," and choose a scientific term. 
 
 And. (lozuering his voice). Here — here is a chemical 
 name. It's really a compound word, or two words. It 
 is '* rubidium oxide." 
 
 Peak. Rubidium oxide. That's good. 
 
 Ellen. Please, what is that? 
 
 War. Oh, — er — something like the ox-eyed daisy, I 
 presume ! 
 
 And. (going to the door). Come in, George, 
 
 (Clifford reenters.) 
 
 Clip. Now we are ready. Colonel, you will write 
 the word. We'll need a small slip of paper, and a pen. 
 
 And. (feeling in his pocket). I'm sorry, but I'll have 
 to borrow both. Has any one 
 
 Clif. Here. This little block will do. And here's 
 a pen, if you haven't one there. (He hands the Colonel 
 a small pad of paper, and a fountain pen. He then draws 
 a handkerchief from his pocket.) Will some one volun- 
 teer to blindfold me? 
 
 And. I'll do it myself. (He follows Clifford to the 
 large chair. Clifford seats himself with his hack to the 
 table. Colonel Anderson ties the handkerchief over 
 Clifford's eyes, and returns to the tahle.) Now, I am 
 to write the chosen word on a sheet of this paper, place 
 the paper in the box, and lock the box. Of course I may 
 hold the key myself. 
 
 Clif. (lurning his head). Certainly. 
 
 And. Good. (He takes the pen and tries to write.) 
 Agh ! Fm afraid 
 
 Clif. Oh, if s an old pen, Colonel ; perhaps you can't 
 use it. I always have to bear on quite hard. 
 
 (Colonel Anderson zvrites quickly upon the hlock. 
 Then, laying down the pen, he tears off the written 
 sheet, drops it into the hox on the table, and locks 
 the cover.) 
 
THE CONJURER 23 
 
 And. There ! George, do your worst ! 
 
 (Clifford rises, and removes the handkerchief from 
 his eyes.) 
 
 Clif. Very well. (He comes forward to the table, 
 while all watch him intently. Colonel Anderson stands 
 close by the box.) I wish all of you to observe that I do 
 not go near the box at any time, or even glance at it. My 
 knowledge will come from the book itself. 
 
 Wells. Incredible ! 
 
 (Clifford takes the book from the table, gathers up 
 his pen and block, and again seats himself in his chair 
 with his back toward the table. He opens the book 
 upon his knees, and turns his head.) 
 
 Clif. Now, Colonel, I am going to ask you three ques- 
 tions, which you must answer as best you can. This is 
 the vital stage of the whole experiment. 
 
 And. Do you ask me to believe that my answers will 
 tell you that word ? 
 
 Clif. Precisely. Try as you may, you cannot pre- 
 vent it. If you do not actually use the particular word in 
 your replies, the effort to avoid this will be so great that 
 I shall be able to learn what you have written. 
 
 Wells. Mr. Clifford ! 
 
 Dor. I've seen him do it ! 
 
 Clif. {over his shoulder). First question: Has the 
 chemist a good chance for advancement in the army ? 
 
 And. {carefully choosing his words). He has cer- 
 tainly every chance. 
 
 Clif. Question two : How extensively have you 
 studied in music? 
 
 And. In music ! Why, not at all. That is, I play the 
 piano a very little. 
 
 Clif. Question three: What, in your opinion, is the 
 greatest scientific discovery of the past three years? 
 
 And. Unquestionably, Dr. Gordon Peak's gas com- 
 pound ! 
 
 Clif. {closing the book with a bang, and rising). 
 That completes the experiment ! Colonel Anderson, you 
 
24 THE CONJURER 
 
 will now find that the paper on which you wrote the word 
 is absolutely blank,— \hdii I have withdrawn the writing! 
 
 (Anderson springs forward and unlocks the box. 
 The others are on their feet in excitement. He 
 seizes the paper inside the box.) 
 
 And. By ginger, it's blank! It's blank! (He holds 
 It up m plain view of all. ) The writing has gone ' 
 
 ^"^- , ^.^^' Colonel— gone. And, before it went it 
 was rubidium oxide " ! ' 
 
 {A start from every one, followed by immediate and 
 generous applause.) 
 
 Wells. That's marvellous ! Simply marvellous ' 
 Edith. It's wonderful ! 
 
 {Gi.E.AS0^ steps forward and scrutinizes the blank slip 
 which Colonel Anderson has laid upon the table.) 
 
 Peak {coming forward). Wonderful enough,— but 
 would you care to explain just why 
 
 {He checks himself.) 
 
 Wells. Oh, what is it. Dr. Peak? You see how he 
 did It? 
 
 (Clifford, smiling, meets Peak's gaze.) 
 
 Peak. Oh, merely a suspicion, Mr. Wells. {He 
 turns /o Clifford.) It isn't quite fair to you, Mr. Clif- 
 tord. I ve seen you do that trick three times, you know. 
 1 11 let the others work it out. 
 
 .t,-^^^^- ,^^ 7^^^ ^'^^' ^^- Pea^- And now, Colonel, I 
 think you'll admit that 
 
 .n^pu .^''' """ • ^^ ^^"^^^' "° • This thing is a fake, 
 ana l n stake my reputation on it ' 
 Clif. a fakeF 
 
 the^kty r* ^""^^ ^^^^''' ^^'^ ^^'^"^ ^^'^^ ^^^' ^"d he^^ 
 
 Ste^ele^ ^' '"'''"' ^' ^ ^^^^' ^^^* ^° ^^^ '^Y' Mr. 
 
THE CONJURER 25 
 
 Steele. Well, that is the cleverest thing I ever saw 
 done. I don't know how he does it. 
 
 War. To tell the truth, it's puzzling me! 
 
 And. George, I don't believe you yet ! That's no 
 science ! You did it by the book ! By ginger, that's it ! 
 The mark of my finger in the book! 
 
 Clip, (laughing). Colonel, that's absurd! 
 
 And. Now, look here ! If that " science " of yours 
 is real, you can do this triok without the book, — with any 
 word or sentence ! Now, what do you say to that ? I 
 challenge you to do it without the book I 
 
 Glea. There, that's the real test, Colonel ! 
 
 Clif. Your suspicion is entirely wrong. I can do this 
 experiment with any sentence, — from any source, — of 
 any nature. This is not a stage " book trick " ; it is cold, 
 infallible science. (Dr. Peak catches his breath sud- 
 denly. ) You don't believe that, Doctor ? 
 
 Peak. I can't believe it ! You tell me that you could 
 find out any sentence, on any subject, which I should 
 choose to write on paper, — no matter what it was ? 
 
 Clif. (slowly). No matter what it was! (He hesi- 
 tates.) Even if — even if you should write the process 
 for amyl trench gas! 
 
 (A start of surprise from all.) 
 
 Wells. Oh, Dr. Peak, what a chance for real excite- 
 ment! 
 
 (Steele is watching every face.) 
 
 Clif. Of course you wouldn't really write it ! 
 
 Peak (laughing). Oh, of course not! But for that 
 matter, I could very easily outline the process in ten 
 words, or less. But of course 
 
 Wells. It's the hardest test any one could give him. 
 Dr. Peak ! 
 
 And. Doctor, he'd be helpless ! 
 
 Marion. Father, he mustn't think of doing that ! 
 
 Peak. Oh, of course I wouldn't, Marlon. That is 
 out of the question. But, just the same, I know he could 
 never succeed! (He hesitates. The others are breath- 
 
26 THE CONJURER 
 
 less. Very gradually, a slight change comes over his 
 features. ) Well — well, — why not ? {He glances around 
 the room.) We're all friends here. We all know Mr. 
 Clifford, and trust him. 
 
 And. You mustn't even consider this. Doctor. I was 
 crazy when I thought of it. To write your secret on 
 paper ! 
 
 Peak. I know. But we're really safe here, you 
 know. And the enjoyment 
 
 Steele. We never know when we're safe, Dr. Peak. 
 
 And. You haven't really any intention of doing, it ! 
 
 Steele. If you have, — dismiss it. 
 
 Wells. But think — among our friends here. Why, 
 {he laughs) we could imagine a regular spy-scene! 
 
 Ellen. Oh, wouldn't that be great! 
 
 War. I say, that would be romantic ! 
 
 Peak {slowly). Mr. Clifford, would you be willing 
 to undertake this? 
 
 Clip. Why, — I — why 
 
 {He shoots a questioning glance toward Steele.) 
 
 And. Doctor, we'll not consider this ! It isn't right, 
 and we cannot allow it ! We can't run chances with our 
 nation's secret! We can't risk America's safety, — for 
 our enjoyment! 
 
 Peak. But, Colonel, I Oh, what is the use of 
 
 taking this matter seriously? Why, {laughing) he can't 
 even find out the words ! 
 
 Steele. Dr. Peak, it is very wrong ! The secret of 
 amyl trench gas is yours, and the Government's. When 
 you risk its safety in any such affair as this, you are false 
 to your American trust ! You must not do it ! 
 
 Peak {a trifle ojf ended). Inspector Steele ! "I 
 
 Wells. Mr. Steele, don't be a spoil-sport! We're 
 dealing with friends here, — not enemies. I imagined you 
 understood that. 
 
 (Steele stands in silence for a moment.) 
 
 Steele. Very well. Dr. Peak. I'll not interfere 
 again. But let me merely remind you that the secret is 
 now America's, — not yours. 
 
THE CONJURER 2/ 
 
 Peak. Listen, please I have thought of a scheme 
 which will make this affair entirely safe If Mr Uif- 
 Cd should succeed in discovering what I shall wi it e he 
 will not announce the sentence aloud, as he did before. 
 That would be foolish. He will write it out, and show 
 it to me alone. All of you may depend upon me to give 
 
 ^ ANJ^^'why, that's a fine idea. Doctor ! There's noth- 
 ing objectionable there. Is there, Mr Steele.' 
 
 Steele. I shall not interfere again. Colonel Ander- 
 
 son. ^ ^.u- •? 
 
 And George, do you want to try this r _ , 
 
 Clif. (after hesitating a moment, and glancing again at 
 Stffle^ Yes I'll do it. 
 
 And. Good! I shall stand here by the box, and act 
 as ooliceman. Doctor, we are ready. , , . , 
 
 Peak Then I'll ask the others to take their places 
 aeain That is quite essential this time. {All except 
 pLk, Colonel Anderson and C^i^FORVtake the^r orig- 
 inal positions in their chairs,) Now, first of all. Mi. 
 Clifford, I am far from satisfied with some of your ar- 
 rangements. 
 
 Clif. What do you mean, please t 
 Peak In the first place, the electric lamp on the 
 table There are four bulbs in it, but only two are 
 lighted. (He goes to the table.) I don't imagme there 
 is^ny need for a dim light. {He screws all four bulbs 
 around very carefully for several seconds, until all four 
 are lighted. When these are finally adjusted to his satis- 
 faction, he examines the bottom of the table.) Colonel, 
 you will please hold the key of the box, as before. Now, 
 Mr. Clifford, if you'll hand me the pen and paper, 1 am 
 ready ! 
 
 Clif. Right here. 
 
 (He glances around the room. All the others are 
 seated. He lays the block and pen on the table for 
 Dr. Peak.) 
 
 Glea You are omitting the blindfolding this time? 
 Peak. No, indeed! I shall attend to that myself. 
 
28 THE CONJURER 
 
 {He follows Clifford to the large chair.) No. Fd pre- 
 fer to use my own handkerchief, if you don't mind. 
 (Clifford seats himself, back toward the table, as before. 
 Dr. Peak ties a handkerchief over his eyes and returns 
 to the table. ) Friends, — we are ready ! 
 Wells. Now we'll see the test ! 
 
 {There is a moment of suspense. Dr. Peak takes up 
 the block and pen from the table. He hesitates.) 
 
 Peak. I am not going to write near this table ! 
 
 {He takes the large book from the table, and goes 
 quickly to His chair in the corner. {See Diagram I, 
 on page j.) There is a breathless silence as he 
 writes. He tears off the paper, rises, and comes 
 quickly to the table. He replaces the pen and block 
 on the table, drops the paper into the box, and in- 
 stantly closes the box-cover. Colonel Anderson 
 turns the key in the lock. Dr. Peak still keeps the 
 book in his hand. ) 
 
 Marion. It's done ! 
 
 (Dr. Peak steps back quickly to a position of about 
 five or six feet from the table, keeping his eyes upon 
 the box. Some one in the back of the room gives a 
 stifled exclamation of suspense. The positions of 
 the various people at this moment are shown in the 
 diagram on page j.) 
 
 Peak. I don't intend that he shall use this book. 
 Colonel, you have the key? 
 
 And. I have! 
 
 Peak. Then, Mr. Clifford, the process for amyl trench 
 gas is in the box on the table ! We are ready ! 
 
 Glea. {from his chair). Science, — we await you ! 
 
 {Slowly Clifford rises. He turns, and pidls down the 
 handkerchief from in front of his eyes. He hesi- 
 tates. ) 
 
 Marion {in terror). George, what is it? What is 
 the matter? 
 
THE CONJURER ^9 
 
 (The Colonel starts, and stares at CUFFOm There 
 ^ is an exclamation from Dorothy Elmstrom.) 
 
 And. George! 
 
 r Clifford staggers a step to one side His face is 
 
 ^ aALf/y. He is staring in terr^fied horror at some 
 
 IhjeJat the other end of the room, f.^^^ ^f ^^' 
 
 strength he tears the handkerchief from his fac and 
 
 starts forward. He reels, and recovers himself . A 
 
 gasp escapes his lips. The others, startled, spring to 
 
 their feet. ) 
 
 Peak {^starting forward), Mr. Clifford, are you ill? 
 
 You're hurt! Help him! 
 
 (He starts to rush to Clifford's aid, throwing the 
 black hook across to the table as he runs, it lands 
 upon the table with a hang, startling Colonel An- 
 derson to action. Then, before Dr. Peak has taken 
 more than tzvo steps, the light on the table goes out.) 
 
 And. Who put out that light? - 
 
 Steele. Colonel Anderson! Hold the box! Hold 
 the box ! 
 
 (Clifford dashes forward to the table in the darkness.) 
 And. Don't let him fool you! It's part of his trick! 
 (At the table there is the sound of a quick, furious 
 struggle. There is a tearing of paper, the sound of a 
 blow, and a gasp of pain from Clifford. Then m 
 a flash, the main lights of the room snap on 1 ne 
 positions are now as indicated in Diagram U, on 
 page ? Colonel Anderson is still holding on to 
 the black box. Wells is at his side. Marion has 
 dashed past them, and has clutched Clifford s am. 
 Dr Peak is at the other corner of the table. Beside 
 him is Ellen Gleason. Dorothy Elmstrom has 
 groped her way to the end of the table where the 
 light stands. Edith Anderson and Warwick have 
 not been able to get past the first row of chairs^ 
 Inspector Steele, in the far corner, has just turned 
 
30 THE CONJURER 
 
 on the lights from the switch. Gleason, also, about 
 six feet away, is obviously in the act of running to 
 the switch. Clifford is still staggering from side to 
 side, breathing in great gasps. In his hand he holds 
 the torn corner of a piece of paper. Dr. Peak, by 
 the table, is staring, white with fear and dread, at 
 the scrap of paper in Clifford's hand.) 
 
 Marion. Father, he's ill ! It's his heart ! A glass of 
 water ! 
 
 (Edith hurries to the door at r. Warwick follows. 
 Wells and Gleason race after them, calling for 
 water. Steele tries in vain to keep them in the 
 room.) 
 
 And. Marion, he's all right! It's part of his game; 
 he's fooling us ! {He springs forward and unlocks the 
 box.) The paper's blank again ! He's done it ! George, 
 you're a wonder ! 
 
 Clif. {choking, but finding his voice with an effort). 
 It's gone! It's gone! {He whirls toward Dr. Peak.) 
 Doctor, your secret {Chokes.) 
 
 Peak {wildly, still staring at the torn scrap of paper). 
 What is gone? What do you mean? 
 
 And. George, you can't mean 
 
 Clif. {starting forward). I didn't get it! / didn't 
 
 get it ! On my honor, I didn't Ogh ! — My head 
 
 will burst! {He gasps again.) Doctor, some one has 
 found out how I do this ! A thief has broken into my 
 trick, — and has stolen your secret! 
 
 (A gasp of horror from all.) 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
ACT II 
 
 SCENE.— The office of Inspector Steele. Saturday 
 afternoon. The scene is a plain room. Door at R. 
 leading to the waiting-room. Door at l. leading to 
 Steele's inner office. At the back of the room, near r., 
 there is a long table, upon which can be seen several 
 pieces of small apparatus, a number of piles of books, 
 and a telephone. Close at hand is a speaking-tube. 
 Near the front, in the center of the room, is a smaller 
 table, with chairs arranged around it. Among the 
 pieces of apparatus on the long table, the largest is a 
 black metal instrument about fifteen inches high and 
 a foot square. From this instrument a set of wires 
 leads to a series of seven peculiarly shaped black chairs, 
 which are lined up along the wall near l. 
 
 Enter Detective White, from r. He is a small, unas- 
 suming man, about thirty years of age. He goes to 
 the door . at l., and knocks. Inspector Steele 
 opens it. 
 
 White. Colonel Anderson has come, sir. 
 Steele (entering, and closing the door). Oh, yes. 
 Bring him right in. 
 
 White. Yes, sir. [Exit to r. 
 
 (Colonel Anderson enters immediately.) 
 
 Steele. Good-afternoon, Colonel. Thank you for 
 coming early. 
 
 And. Not at all. I received your message at lunch- 
 eon. Inspector, what are we to do? 
 
 Steele (indicating a chair). Won't you be seated, 
 please. (He seats himself at the table with the Colonel.) 
 What are we to do, you say ? Why, recover that paper, 
 that's all. 
 
 31 
 
3a THE CONJURER ' 
 
 And. Oh, Mr. Steele, I can't bear to think of it! 
 Dr. Gordon Peak's secret — stolen, while he is my guest ! 
 And what can we do now? You lost your only chance. 
 Inspector, when you didn't detain the whole crowd at my 
 home last night. 
 
 Steele {shaking his head). No, no, Colonel. That 
 wasn't any chance at all. What if we had made a search 
 there ? 
 
 And. We would have found that paper ! 
 
 Steele. Be reasonable, please. You know several of 
 your guests had rushed out of the room before I could 
 stop them. At the first hint of a search that paper would 
 have been destroyed, — and the secret have been gone 
 completely. 
 
 And. But if he destroyed it, then he couldn't use 
 
 Steele. What of that ? You heard Dr. Peak say that 
 the process could be outlined in at least ten words. You 
 imagine that a man clever enough to take that paper as 
 this thief did could not memorize ten words ! 
 
 And. I — I guess you're right. But what have you 
 done? 
 
 Steele. Merely the logical thing. I called up my 
 office directly after the theft last evening. By ten o'clock 
 I had a squad of my operatives on hand, and they have 
 " shadowed " every member of your party from the mo- 
 ment that he or she left your house last night. Not one 
 of your guests, Colonel Anderson, has had a single oppor- 
 tunity of communicating with a German agent since the 
 theft ! 
 
 And. Good work ! I've noticed two men outside my 
 house, too. But now what ? 
 
 Steele. Now to arrest the thief, before he can make 
 use of his knowledge. Of course you've kept this v-hole 
 affair a secret, as I suggested. 
 
 And. Absolutely. Certainly no one, except ourselves 
 and my guests, knows that Dr. Peak's secret has been 
 stolen. 
 
 Steele. Good. Now, I have requested every member 
 of your party to be here at this office at three o'clock. I 
 expect Mr. Clifford earlier. Of course Dr. Peak is 
 coming? 
 
THE CONJURER 33 
 
 And. He is. He seems almost a nervous wreck to- 
 day, but he intends to come. But what is your plan ? 
 
 (Steele laughs slightly.) 
 
 Steele. It's quite simple. The thief stole that paper 
 by breaking into Clifford's trick at the critical moment. I 
 intend to upset him at his own game. In other words, 
 Clifford's scientific psychology will now discover the 
 guilty person ! 
 
 And. But, Inspector, that paper in the box was blank ! 
 Blank, just as it was in the simple two-word experiment! 
 {He leans forzvard in excitement.) What did that person 
 steal ? 
 
 Steele. I expect Clifford to answer that question. 
 Frankly, I don't know. Meanwhile, I need more data. 
 {He takes a sheet of paper from a drawer in the table.) 
 I'm not certain that I have the real addresses of all your 
 guests. 
 
 And. Oh, I see. 
 
 Steele. We'll take each one, in order. First of all, 
 of course, your daughters Marion and Edith are now at 
 your home. 
 
 And. Certainly. 
 
 Steele. And Dr. Peak himself, you said, is still your 
 guest. I believe his own rooms are 
 
 And. Oh, yes. On Central Street. I'm quite sure 
 that the number is 285. {He consults a letter in his 
 pocket. \ Yes, 285. 
 
 Steele. Thank you. Then, your daughter's friend. 
 Miss Elmstrom. 
 
 And. She is still with us. 
 
 Steele. Yes, I understand that. And her home 
 
 And. Why, she hasn't any, yet. She intends music 
 as a profession, and you know she's been in Berlin, study- 
 ing, for four years. She — she is alone. Her father died 
 when a yacht blew up, just before the war. 
 
 Steele. Oh, — Henry Elmstrom. I knew him. A 
 cliemist. And — er — now Mr. Wells, the musician. He 
 lives on Everton Avenue, according to 
 
 And. Yes. {Consults his letters again.) Near the 
 up-town end. 28 Everton Avenue. Driscoll Wells. 
 
34 THE CONJURER 
 
 Steele. Then Clifford. We'll omit him ; I expect him 
 any minute. Captain Frank Gleason, and his sister, Miss 
 Ellen Gleason. 
 
 And. 490 West River Street. 
 
 Steele. Yes. And Lieutenant Warwick. 
 
 And. He is their neighbor. 476 West River Street. 
 
 Steele {folding the paper). I am much obliged, 
 Colonel. Now to return to the affair of last evening. 
 
 Just before we 
 
 Enter White. 
 
 White. Mr. George Clifford is in the waiting-room, 
 sir. 
 
 Steele. Send him in at once. 
 
 - {Exit White, holding the door open, and motioning 
 Clifford to enter. Enter George Clifford. He is 
 pale and nervous.) 
 
 Clif. Inspector, this is all my fault! I hardly slept 
 at all last night ! I've been to blame for every bit of this ! 
 I 
 
 And. Nonsense, George. We were all to blame for 
 this! 
 
 Clif. Oh, no, no! 
 
 Steele. Clifford, please calm yourself. You are not 
 in the least to blame. We were all out of our heads, to 
 have let such an affair go on. 
 
 Clif. You understand, I didn't know what to do when 
 Dr. Peak agreed to let me try it. It startled me so ! I — I 
 kept looking at you, Mr. Steele, to see if I should go on ! 
 And then, when Colonel Anderson asked me if I wanted 
 to do it, I — I thought it must be part of your plan that I 
 should. 
 
 Steele. We were all a set of bunglers, that's all. If 
 you come right down to the real truth of it, it was Dr. 
 Peak himself, not you, who was the most to blame. But 
 we can't waste time now. Putting all " science " aside 
 for the present, I must know your exact method, step by 
 step, for performing that trick. 
 
 Clif. Of course. {He takes a chair at the table.) 
 
 And. I can't see how you ever did it ! 
 
THE CONJURER 35 
 
 Clif. Well, it's remarkably simple. In the first place, 
 after you had written the two words on the slip of paper, 
 the writing disappeared while the paper was in the box. 
 
 Steele. Disappearing ink, of course. Probably very 
 dilute. 
 
 Clif. Of course. Both the Colonel and Dr. Peak 
 wrote on the paper with my own pen. 
 
 And. But that would merely cause its disappearance. 
 How on earth did you ever learn the words ? 
 
 Clif. {taking a small block of paper from his pocket). 
 The block of paper is the answer. / furnished that, also. 
 This is one just like it. Here, look under the fourth sheet 
 from the top. 
 
 And. Oh ! Carbon paper ! 
 
 Clif. Sensitive carbon paper. You had to bear on a 
 little with the pen. You see what happened when you 
 wrote upon the top sheet. A clear copy on the fifth 
 sheet. When I took the book to the chair with me, for 
 the second part of the trick, I carelessly gathered up the 
 pen and block from the table, and — you see 
 
 Steele. Very simple now. Then the thing that was 
 stolen was this block of paper, containing the duplicate 
 of Dr. Peak's writing. 
 
 Clif. That's exactly what happened. Of course this 
 duplicate is of just as much good to the thief 
 
 And. Of course! Of course! By ginger, no one 
 would ever have suspected such a simple explanation ! 
 
 Steele. It's very evident that some one did suspect 
 it. Whoever stole that secret knew the trick, and knew 
 that the vital information was hidden in that little block 
 on the table. Now, Clifford, please think over this ques- 
 tion. Did you, at any time during the first of the two 
 experiments, see the slightest indication that any one 
 might have suspected the real use of the block? 
 
 Clif. (slowly). Why, I — why, no, I don't believe I 
 did. I'm sure I didn't ! For a minute once I was almost 
 afraid that Dr. Peak himself had noticed it, — he had seen 
 the trick twice before, you know, — but I'm — I'm very 
 sure I didn't see any one else. 
 
 Steele. Very well. Now please tell me, very slowly 
 and carefully, just what happened after you started that 
 
36 THE CONJURER 
 
 second performance of the trick. And tell me every 
 
 single thing you remember ! 
 
 Clif. Oh, it's — the whole thing is a horrible jumble 
 to me. It's all I can do to remember what happened ! I 
 don't know why I ever agreed to do it ! 
 
 Steele. Take your time, and tell me, step by step, 
 just what you remember. 
 
 Clif. Why, I — I started in just as usual. If I was 
 more nervous than before, I didn't notice it. I gave Dr. 
 Peak the block and pen. Then I went to my chair, where 
 he blindfolded me, — after some one had reminded him of 
 that. Then I heard him return to the table. He must 
 have started to write the process there, for I remember 
 that he said, " I am not going to write near this table ! " 
 
 Steele. Those were his exact words. What then? 
 
 Clif. He walked across the room somewhere. He 
 must have gone to his chair by the wall while he wrote. 
 Then I began to worry; I didn't know just how far you 
 wanted me to go. Well, suddenly I heard Dr. Peak rise 
 and return to the table. A moment later Colonel Ander- 
 son turned the key in the box. 
 
 And. Yes, yes. Go on ! 
 
 Clif. Then Marion — Marion Anderson — said, " It's 
 done ! " I remember that. I heard Dr. Peak walk back 
 toward his corner. Some one gave an exclamation; I 
 don't know who did it. Then Dr. Peak said, " I don't 
 intend to have him use this book. Have you the key, 
 Colonel?" 
 
 And. That's right. I answered, '* I have ! " 
 
 Clif. Dr. Peak said, ** Then the process for amyl 
 trench gas is in the box. We're ready ! " Then some 
 one, — and I can't remember who that was, — said, sar- 
 castically, " Science, we await you ! " And then I knew 
 that the biggest test had come ! {He takes a long breath.) 
 Mr. Steele, I've never been nervous during a performance 
 in my life. Never once! But just as I arose from the 
 chair and turned around last night, and started to pull 
 that handkerchief down from my eyes, — something went 
 wrong! Oh, I — I can't describe it! I knew something 
 frightful was bound to happen ! I felt a cold chill alL* 
 over. My fingers shook, — and my heart jumped right 
 
THE CONJURER 37 
 
 UP into my mouth. I tried to speak, and tell you that 
 we'd have to give it up, but I couldn't. I was afraid, 
 Mr Steele,— afraid, for the first time in my career as a 
 magician ! And then I started toward the table,— and i 
 
 looked up, and 
 
 {He stops, and covers his eyes with his hands.) 
 
 And. You saw that the little block was already gone 
 
 from the table? , , ^,.„ , 
 
 Steele. No, no, the block was there! Clifford was 
 staring at the back of the room, over our heads. What 
 
 did you see? , ., , t 4. « t^ 
 
 Clif Oh— I It was horrible. Inspector! In 
 
 my fear, I must have imagined it all. The— the big 
 
 picture of General Grant on the wall by the door 
 
 (He hesitates.) 
 
 And. Yes, yes! What was it? 
 
 Clif The whole picture started right out at me! 
 Tumped right out, from its place on the wall ! I remem- 
 ber the <^asp I gave. Then Marion called out to me. 1 
 don't know where she was; it was a long distance away 
 I heard Miss Elmstrom's voice, too. Then the Colonel 
 called out, and that brought my mind to its senses^ I tore 
 off the handkerchief, and started forward. Dr. Feak 
 called to me; he thought I was ill. He threw the black 
 book onto the table, and started toward me. And then— 
 the light went out ! 
 
 Steele. Just a minute, before you go on ! When you 
 stared at the picture of General Grant, and saw it appear 
 to jump toward you, did you see anything else that wasn t 
 natural in the back of the room? 
 
 Clif I— I don't know. It seems to me 
 
 Steele. Please be sure of this. Was there anything 
 else that wasn't right ? 
 
 Clif It seems to me that there was. I can t remem- 
 ber what, but I seem to recall that something else wasn t 
 as it should be. I— I can't be sure of that. 
 
 Steele. Very well. Go on. After the light went 
 out you rushed to the table. 
 
38 THE CONJURER 
 
 Clif. I recovered myself the instant I saw that lamp 
 go out, and dashed forward to get that block. I knew I 
 must have that, above all else! As I ran, I heard the 
 others coming, too. I reached the table and groped for 
 the block of paper. I found it, and clutched it in my 
 hand, — and another hand closed over mine ! I struck at 
 him, and missed. His other hand caught my throat. I 
 fought; it seemed an age while I fought for that precious 
 block. But I felt it torn away ! I tried to cry out, and 
 I couldn't ! Then something else fell right on top of my 
 hand, and dropped to the table. It was an envelope. It 
 must have fallen from his pocket in our struggle. I 
 snatched at that, but he struck me a blow on the head, 
 and tore the envelope away, — all but one corner. I 
 staggered back from the force of the blow, and then — 
 then came the lights ! In an instant some one caught my 
 arm. It was Marion. {He pauses.) You know the 
 rest. 
 
 Steele. Then you mean for us to understand, Clif- 
 ford, that the scrap of paper which you were holding in 
 your hand when I turned on the lights was hot a portion 
 of the stolen block! It was a corner of the thief's own 
 letter, which he had dropped, and 
 
 Clif. Yes! Yes! It was an envelope! I have the 
 corner here ! 
 
 Steele {springing up). Then we have him! We 
 have him ! Clifford, if any one ever tells you again that 
 you haven't done your share for America 
 
 Clif. . But it's only a corner. Inspector ! There's noth- 
 ing on it 
 
 Steele. We must see it, at once. 
 
 Clif. Here. 
 
 {He hands Steele a small scrap of paper. Colonel 
 Anderson rises and comes forward eagerly. ) 
 
 Steele. It is only the left-hand corner of an en- 
 velope. 
 
 And. But see that ! There's part of the address ! 
 
 Steele. And also that there ! The first letter of the 
 thief's first name, beyond a doubt. See that capital D. 
 
 Clif. There's part of the next letter, too ! 
 
THE CONJURER 39 
 
 Steele. Exactly. It might be an a, or it might be 
 an e or an-o. 
 
 And. I can't see that. It looks more like the be- 
 ginning of an r. 
 
 Steele. Quite right, Colonel Anderson. I'd give 
 odds of three to one that it is an r. 
 
 Clip. And there's part of the address ! 
 
 Steele (thoughtfully). Yes, — 28. 28. But 28 what? 
 Colonel, what one of your guests has a first name be- 
 ginning with D, and lives at number twenty-eight on some 
 street? (He consults the paper which Colonel Ander- 
 son has prepared with him.) We'll have a look at this 
 paper. D, r! 28! There! 
 
 Clip. What? Who is it? 
 
 Steele (reading slowly). Driscoll Wells, 28 Everton 
 Avenue ! 
 
 And. (with a violent start). Wells! 
 
 Clif. By Jove, you must be right! He had been 
 travelling in Europe, and 
 
 And. But Wells! That harmless, good-natured lit- 
 tle 
 
 Clif. Who was it who pretended he hadn't heard of 
 Dr. Peak's gas? Who kept asking him to explain more 
 about its use? And who was the one who urged Dr. 
 Peak again and again to let me try my science upon the 
 amyl secret ? Inspector, you have him ! 
 
 Steele. That's all very true. But how did he do it ? 
 
 Clif. What do you mean ? He 
 
 Steele. How did he do it? Colonel, you stood by 
 that box from first to last. Before the light on the table 
 went out, how could any one have moved forward from 
 his original position? 
 
 And. No one could, — except Dr. Peak himself. He 
 threw aside his book and started toward George when 
 
 Steele. And no one else? 
 
 And. No one could have ! 
 
 Steele. Then how did Wells put out that light ? 
 
 Clif. He could have done it from the switch by the 
 door, where you ran. 
 
 Steele. Without being seen by those in the chairs 
 back of him, and by me ? 
 
40 THE CONJURER 
 
 And. But I'll swear that second letter is an r. And 
 the address, — 28 ! 
 
 Steele. We'll never prove one thing on any such 
 evidence as this. And proof we must have. Nothing 
 but an arrest, and an immediate arrest, will save that 
 secret. 
 
 Clip. But, Mr. Steele, what can we do? 
 
 Steele. Ah, you and I together, Clifford, may work 
 wonders yet ! Who knows ? 
 
 Clif. You and I ! 
 
 Steele. Exactly. You said last evening that you 
 were only waiting for the chance — for a time when you 
 could make a real sacrifice for America, as our soldiers 
 are doing. 
 
 Clif. Of course! But, please, what means have 
 
 Steele {zvith a little laugh). I'm afraid you've for- 
 gotten. {He pauses.) Science will do marvellous things, 
 you know. 
 
 Clif. By Jove ! You think it can be done — that way ? 
 
 Steele. I know it can ! But wait. You realize that 
 this thief will do his level best to thwart you, and to fight 
 you. Are you willing to take the chance? 
 
 Clif. I'm ready. 
 
 Steele. Even if this criminal should — try to take 
 your Hfe? 
 
 (Clifford gives a start. Slowly he squares his 
 shoulders.) 
 
 Clif. No matter what he may do, — I'm with you ! 
 
 And. That's what I knew you would say ! 
 
 Steele. Of course we knew it. {He takes the corner 
 of the envelope from the table, and hands it to Clifford.) 
 Put this in your pocket, please. 
 
 Enter Marion Anderson and Dorothy Elmstrom 
 from R. 
 
 Marion. Oh, here's father, in here. I wondered 
 
 And. Marion, I think Mr. Steele would prefer to have 
 you wait 
 
THE CONJURER 4I 
 
 Steele. Oh, that won't matter a particle, Colonel. 
 Be seated, please. (Marion and Dorothy take chairs 
 at the small table. ) Colonel, I must have you in the inner 
 office for about two minutes. {He leads Colonel An- 
 derson to the door at l. ) Clifford, I shall want you here, 
 also, very soon. 
 
 (Colonel Anderson and Steele go out.) 
 
 Marion. George, have you found it? 
 
 Clip. Why, — no, Marion! We couldn't expect to, 
 yet. We haven't had all the guests here, or 
 
 Marion. Oh, but you should have found it! You 
 should, by this time! {She goes to Clifford.) George, 
 can't you see that if you don't they'll find more slighting 
 things to say to me ? 
 
 Dor. But, Marion, we couldn't expect him to have 
 done everything so soon. 
 
 Marion. But it needn't have taken you so long, 
 George. 
 
 Clip. Marion, we must do the thing the safe way. 
 The doctor's secret must be recovered, whatever else 
 
 Marion. Oh, I don't care ! I should think you'd get 
 it done quickly, for my sake ! 
 
 Dor. {placing her hand upon Marion's shoidder). 
 Marion, dear, is that what you really want him to do? 
 To consider you before America? 
 
 Marion {hesitating). Oh, — I But, Dorothy, you 
 
 don't understand! Ellen Gleason called up this noon. 
 And Frank has been horrid again this morning. 
 
 Clif. What has he said ? 
 
 Marion. Oh, he — he said it was all your fault that 
 the paper was stolen. He blamed it all upon your — your 
 " silly nonsense," as he called it. He told Ellen he 
 thought I — I was foolish, to — to have anything more to 
 do with you, and 
 
 Clip, {hotly). Then Gleason will take that back ! 
 
 Dor. Oh, you shouldn't mind Captain Gleason, — 
 either of you ! Mr. Clifford is going to find out who stole 
 that secret, and give it back to Dr. Peak again, and catch 
 the man who took it ! I'm sure of that ! 
 
42 THE CONJURER 
 
 Clif. Oh, Miss — Miss Elmstrom, this is kind of you ! 
 
 Enter Edith Anderson, suddenly, from r. At the same 
 instant Colonel Anderson and Steele enter from 
 the inner office. 
 
 Steele. Clifford. For about two minutes. 
 
 [Exit Clifford, with Steele. 
 
 And. Oh, hello, Edith. But where — where's Dr. 
 Peak? 
 
 Edith. He's coming. He started to come with me, 
 but that Mr. Morris came in just as we were ready. I 
 heard them talking about a lawsuit or something when 
 I left. 
 
 And. Oh, it's that dealer again, — the one who sup- 
 plied Dr. Peak's laboratory. Can't they stop hounding 
 the poor man even now? 
 
 Edith. But no one has heard anything about the 
 theft, you know. 
 
 Warwick {from the doorway at R.). I say, Wells, 
 old fellow, they must be in here. 
 
 Enter Lieutenant Warwick and Driscoll Wells. 
 
 And. Oh, good-afternoon, Mr. Wells. Hello, Hamil- 
 ton. 
 
 Wells. It's rather unexpected to find so many of you 
 here. 
 
 Edith. You came down with Lieutenant Warwick? 
 
 Wells. Yes; he called around for me. 
 
 War. And would you believe this, Colonel? A man 
 in a little black runabout began to follow us from the 
 moment we started, and he's down-stairs in this building 
 now ! You know, I think that's scandalous ! 
 
 Enter White, with Clifford and Steele. Steele 
 glances slowly around the group. 
 
 Steele. Not present yet, Captain Gleason, — and Miss 
 
 Gleason, — and 
 
 White {going to the door). Dr. Gordon Peak, sir. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
THE CONJURER 43 
 
 Enter Dr. Peak. He seems even a little paler than be- 
 fore; it is plain that his nerves have been shaken. 
 
 Steele. Come right in, Dr. Peak. And do sit down ; 
 you seem tired. {He places a chair for him.) 
 
 Peak. Oh, thank you, I'm not tired. But what — 
 you've found out something? 
 
 Steele. We intend to find out everything, very soon, 
 Dr. Peak. I am only waiting for two more to arrive. -' 
 
 Peak. But, Mr. Steele, the police know nothing of 
 this theft. Don't you think 
 
 Steele. It is quite essential that they should know 
 nothing of it. 
 
 Peak. But I am thinking of the officials at Washing- 
 ton. They've not had even a statement of the loss. We 
 can't keep the Government in the dark. Inspector. These 
 facts must be made public, and at once ! 
 
 Steele. I'm sorry. For the present we must keep 
 every one, even the Government, in the dark. 
 
 Peak. Mr. Steele ! Kindly remember that the stolen 
 secret was mine, — at least half mine, — and that 
 
 Steele {firmly). I'm afraid I must remind you that 
 I represent the Government, which owns the other half. 
 I'm very sorry. Dr. Peak. {He hesitates.) And I'll 
 agree to this. If Clifford and I don't succeed in discover- 
 ing the thief by to-night at the latest, I'll very gladly make 
 the matter public to-morrow. 
 
 White {entering). Miss Gleason, and Captain Glea- 
 son, sir. [Exit. 
 
 Enter Ellen Gleason and Captain Frank Gleason. 
 
 Steele. Good-afternoon, Miss Gleason. Come in. 
 Captain. (Steele walks slowly to the table in c.) I 
 think, friends, that we are now ready to begin. Of course 
 you all know why I have summoned you. Dr. Peak's 
 amyl gas secret must be recovered, and the person who 
 stole it last evening must be arrested, — to-day. {He 
 glances slowly around the group.) I have asked you to 
 come here at three o'clock. This afternoon I intend to 
 carry out a special test here, with the assistance of Mr. 
 George Clifford. I shall start now. The person who 
 
44 THE CONJURER 
 
 committed the theft last evening had only to run to the 
 
 table to do so. Some one did that, and grappled with Mr. 
 Clifford. Clifford, could any one present have done that ? 
 
 Clif. Any one, very easily, after the light had been 
 put out. 
 
 Steele. Exactly. Nov^, besides Dr. Peak, Mr. Clif- 
 ford, Colonel Anderson, and me, there were seven people 
 in the room last evening. I'm sorry to have to say this. 
 I must suspect each one of you seven of being a possible 
 traitor to America. (He pauses.) Any one of you could 
 have stolen the duplicate of Dr. Peak's writing. 
 
 Glea. Ah ! A duplicate ! So that's the secret of his 
 " science " ! 
 
 Steele. Not at all. Captain Gleason. For Clifford's 
 science will reveal the thief before nine o'clock to-night ! 
 Now I'll have to ask you seven 
 
 And. Pardon me. Inspector. But — but haven't you 
 overlooked something in deciding upon those seven ? 
 
 Steele. I don't understand. 
 
 And. I feel it my duty to remind you that I stood by 
 the box on the table during the whole experiment, with 
 the key in my possession. 
 
 Marion. Of course you did, father! What of that? 
 
 And. That depends upon what Mr. Steele wishes to 
 make of it. 
 
 Steele (slowly). I think. Colonel Anderson, that we 
 may neglect that fact. 
 
 And. (quietly). Thank you, Inspector. 
 
 (Steele presses the hell for White. Enter White.) 
 
 Steele. We'll have the pulse register in position now. 
 (White begins to drag the special chairs out from the 
 wall.) Be sure that the numbers coincide with the ones 
 on the register. (He turns to the others.) This will be 
 a scientific test of your knowledge a,nd feelings, by means 
 of reading the action of the pulse. Each one of those 
 chairs is provided with a delicate wrist appliance, which 
 is connected by wires to the instrument of the large table. 
 This test is infallible. No matter how the guilty person 
 may try to conceal his feelings, he cannot hope to deceive 
 
THE CONJURER 45 
 
 this apparatus. These chairs are numbered, and we shall 
 take a record of the pulse action of each one of you. 
 {He turns toward Clifford.) Clifford has been using 
 his branch of science this morning in collaboration with 
 mine. He has made several discoveries, all of a most 
 startling nature. He will make known these discoveries 
 when you have taken your positions in these chairs. 
 White, is the apparatus ready ? 
 White. It is connected, sir. 
 
 {He has placed the seven chairs in regular rows, at 
 some distance from the wall. There are two rows 
 of three each, and one extra chair behind these. ) 
 
 Steele. Miss Edith Anderson, would you kindly take 
 seat number one,7— the farthest over in the first row. 
 And Miss Marion Anderson, number two, beside your 
 sister. 
 
 Marion {hesitating, and gazing in apprehension at the 
 apparatus). Oh, must — must I do this, too, Mr. Steele? 
 
 Steele. I'm sorry. Miss Anderson. But I can't leave 
 any one out. 
 
 (Marion and Edith take their places. Dorothy Elm- 
 STROM crosses with them.) 
 
 Dor. Marion, you mustn't mind a little thing like this. 
 You'll let me sit here beside Marion, I know, Mr. Steele. 
 
 Steele {quickly). I'm sorry. Miss Elmstrom ! I 
 have specially planned this first row, and I'll have to ask 
 you to wait. 
 
 Dor. {a trifle startled). Oh! Oh, I — beg your par- 
 don. 
 
 Steele. Lieutenant Warwick, will you kindly take 
 number three, In the first row. (Warwick goes to the 
 chair.) Thank you. White, please connect the wrist 
 straps for those three. (White obeys.) Now number 
 four, the farthest seat In the second row. Miss Gleason, 
 please. And now, Miss Elmstrom, number five. (Miss 
 Elmstrom, who is standing between Clifford and 
 Dr. Peak in an attitude of deep perplexity, recalls her 
 
46 THE CONJURER 
 
 thoughts with a little start when her name is called. She 
 turns quickly, and goes rather nervously to her place, 
 without noticing that she has dropped her handkerchief. 
 Dr. Peak restores it to her.) There. The other two 
 may be in any order. Whichever of you two gentlemen 
 
 wishes ■ Oh, very well, Mr. Wells. Number six, on 
 
 the end of this row. And now Captain Gleason, in num- 
 ber seven, the extra seat. If you would be kind enough 
 to remove your gloves. (Gleason places his gloves near 
 the instrument on the large table, and takes his place. 
 Steele assists White in the adjustment of the apparatus. 
 When this is finished White goes to the instrument on 
 the table. ) Now, Colonel Anderson and Dr. Peak, kindly 
 be seated over here, on the other side of the small table. 
 {He follows them across the room, and turns to face the 
 others.) The large metal instrument on the other table 
 will now make an accurate record of the various speeds 
 of your pulses. If one should greatly exceed the others, 
 that fact will be unerringly recorded. If at any time the 
 speed of any one should become great enough to indicate 
 a very marked feeling of suspense or apprehension, that 
 apparatus will immediately give notice of the fact by a 
 continued ringing of the bell in the box. And, White, if 
 at any time I raise my hand, it is a signal for you to read 
 off the indications as shown in the record. If I clap my 
 hands, you are to close the switch instantly, and preserve 
 the record as it then stands. Remember. When the bell 
 rings, keep on until I clap my hands. Is that clear ? 
 
 White. I understand, sir. 
 
 Steele. Then you may open the switch. (White 
 throws the switch.) Take one reading now. White. 
 
 (Colonel Anderson leans forward in suspense.) 
 
 White. All of the numbers are quite a little above 
 normal, sir. But no single one is in advance of the 
 others. 
 
 Steele. That is natural. Clifford, you may begin. 
 
 (Steele seats himself beside Colonel Anderson at 
 the table, facing the group in the testing chairs,^ 
 
\ THE CONJURER 47 
 
 Clifford steps out into the middle of the room, with 
 a black note-book in his hand. White stands on 
 duty at the instrument.) 
 
 Clif. I intend to begin by a brief review of the events 
 of last evening. I shall pay particular attention to the 
 conversation which led up to my second, incompleted, 
 performance of the word- reading experiment. {Pauses, 
 and glances around the group. ) I was the one who was 
 foolish enough to suggest an attempt to read Dr. Peak's 
 process. Almost immediately Colonel Anderson and In- 
 spector Steele very strenuously opposed any such pro- 
 ceeding. Dr. Peak himself showed no inclination to run 
 such a risk. But some one, — I don't remember who it 
 was, — kept urging him to do this. He finally consented, 
 feeling quite secure among Colonel Anderson's friends. 
 You remember what happened then. Mr. Steele at once 
 declared that it must not be done. The doctor was almost 
 dissuaded, but some one again urged him to agree. That 
 fact may mean nothing, and I don't remember who it 
 was. But 
 
 Edith. Why, George, that was 
 
 Steele {cutting in quickly). Not now, Miss Ander- 
 son ! Clifford must not be interrupted ! 
 
 Clif. Friends, some one of you knew the secret of 
 my mental experiment. One of you knew that if Dr. 
 Peak should write his process and lock it in the box, the 
 words would be accessible to any one who knew my ex- 
 periment ! That person lay in waiting, among the others, 
 while I was blindfolded. He waited while Dr. Peak 
 wrote out his secret, and while Colonel Anderson locked 
 the paper in the box. He then quietly withdrew from the 
 others, who were too interested to notice him. He crept 
 to the other end of the room. Then, at the instant when 
 I was engaged in a great mental struggle to learn the 
 words, he put out the light on the table, raced back in the 
 dark, and stole the secret. {He takes a quick step for- 
 ward.) Do you know who did that? / do! 
 
 {Startled exclamations, Steele turns, and raises his 
 hand.) 
 
48 THE CONJURER 
 
 White {from the instrument). A slight increase in 
 all seven, Inspector. No definite result! 
 
 Steele. Very well. Go on, Clifford. 
 
 Clif. During this morning, I have found out exactly 
 what I wished to know. What happened just as the light 
 went out last night ? Colonel Anderson was standing by 
 the box. Dr. Peak was a few feet away, holding the 
 book which he suspected of being the secret of my suc- 
 cess. I arose, in the midst of a great mental struggle. 
 Dr. Peak saw my eft'orts, and thought I was ill. He 
 threw the book onto the table, and rushed toward me. 
 Then it happened! The man at the switch put out the 
 light. He raced back, and fought with me at the table. 
 And then — he dropped an envelope! {Exclamations. 
 Clifford opens his note-book.) I have one corner of 
 that envelope here. {He holds it up.) Friends, on this 
 scrap of paper is written the name of the person who 
 stole Dr. Gordon Peak's discovery ! And the first part 
 of that name is {He pauses.) 
 
 (Steele again raises his hand.) 
 
 White. Another increase on all seven. Nothing 
 
 more 
 
 And. By ginger, Mr. Steele, you must be wrong ! A 
 guilty man could never stand that test ! 
 
 Ellen. Please, Mr. Steele, let me take this frightfu' 
 thing off my wrist ! 
 
 War. Oh, I say, do. Inspector ! The thing's a beastly 
 nuisance ! 
 
 Steele. Is that all, Clifford? 
 
 Clif. {quickly). No, that is not all! {He turns 
 again to the others.) This envelope was dislodged from 
 the thief's pocket. It fell to the table. He tore the rest 
 away. But with it fell something more ! ( Steele gives 
 a quick start of surprise. Colonel Anderson and Dr. 
 Peak are both startled.) This second object was a 
 card, — perhaps the card which had been inside this en- 
 velope! The card fell to the floor under the table. It 
 remained there, unseen, all night. This morning I 
 searched the room, and 
 
\ 
 
 THE CONJURER 49 
 
 And. But, George, that table 
 
 Steele. Silence, Colonel ! He shall not be inter- 
 rupted ! 
 
 Clip. From nine o'clock last evening until ten this 
 forenoon that card lay hidden on the floor, unnoticed, 
 unsuspected, — waiting to send the thief before a firing 
 squad ! 
 
 Peak {starting up from his chair). Clifford, it 
 couldn't have been there last night ! It couldn't 
 
 Steele. Dr. Peak, I beg you to let him tell us what 
 he knows ! 
 
 Clif. {taking a post-card from his note-hook). Here 
 is the card ! One side is blank. {He holds it up.) This 
 other side, which is the end of some one's message to this 
 person, says this : " has told me that you returned the 
 other day. I am so glad, and I sincerely trust that you 
 enjoyed every day of your trip. How did you like the 
 people of — — " 
 
 ( There is a loud, prolonged ringing^ from the apparatus 
 on the long table. Steele turns like a flash, and 
 claps his hands three times. ) 
 
 Steele. We have him! We have him, this time! 
 White, catch that record! 
 
 (White throws the switch. The ringing stops.) 
 
 Wliite. I have 'it, sir! 
 
 Wells. O-o-o-oh ! 
 
 Steele. Who made that sound? Who called out 
 then? Mr. Wells, did you? 
 
 Wells. I did, Mr. Steele ! I'll tell you ; I did it be- 
 cause {He checks himself.) 
 
 Steele. Then tell me. What was it ? 
 
 Wells. I— I'll not be able to tell you, Mr. Steele ! 
 
 Steele. You'll have to tell me ! I want to know why 
 you called out ! Why did you make that sound ? 
 
 Wells. I cannot answer! 
 
 Steele. Then I'll ask the pulse register to tell me ! 
 
 Wells {starting). Do you mean to 
 
 Steele. That's quite enough about it, sir ! {He turns 
 
5® THE CONJURER 
 
 to White.) Unfasten the wrist apparatus. Friends I 
 will make known the result of this test at eight this even- 
 ing. I shall expect you all to be here at that time. Until 
 then you are at liberty. (The seven in the testina chairs 
 arise with exclamations of relief, and hurry toward the 
 door. Dorothy Elmstrom rises a bit unsteadily Clif- 
 ford hastens forward, and assists her to the door) One 
 moment, please. When I have examined the record in 
 the pulse register I may find it advisable to see one of 
 you at seven-thirty, instead of eight. That is all. (The 
 seven people go out. Steele hurries to the speakinq 
 tube. Steele, into the tube.) Hello, Harper? See 
 that each of hose seven people just going out is carefully 
 watched until this evening. That's all 
 
 Hn^.^'^'f r^"""^^' T'^T ^""^ ^^^' ^"^ >^^^'^e the one who's 
 done It ! I m proud of you ! 
 
 Steele. _ But Clifford, answer me! That card— you 
 never mentioned it to me ! When did you find it ^ 
 
 CLiF^(/a^^^/„n^). Ten minutes ago, on the table in 
 your office there! This side is blank {he holds it up) 
 and this side is blank, too ! - ' 
 
 (A start of amazement from Steele.) 
 Peak. O-oh ! 
 
 And. By ginger ! You bluffed him till he gave him- 
 self away! 
 
 Steele {seizing Clifford's hand) . - Clifford, Fm proud 
 to know you, too ! 
 
 Clif. It's Driscoll Wells! I made up that message, 
 and It got him ! . ^ ' 
 
 Steele. White, we'll have that record ! 
 
 {He takes a paper from his pocket.) 
 
 And. Wells cried out when he heard the bell ! 
 Clif. And the instrument will show his guilt ' 
 ^ White {from the machine). Up to the last minute, 
 
 \^tI T ^1^1 °"^^ ^ gradual increase for every number. 
 When the bell rang 
 
 Steele. Yes, yes ! 
 
 White. When the bell rang, this one started at a 
 
THE CONJURER 5 1 
 
 terrific pace, and rang the bell in ten seconds ! Inspector, 
 the indicator was rung by number five ! 
 
 (Steele himself gives a visible start.) 
 
 Clif. Number five? 
 
 Peak. Who was that ? Was that Wells ? 
 
 And. {peering over Steele's shoulder) . No, by ginger ! 
 Wells was number six ! Number five — is — Miss Dorothy 
 Elmstrom ! 
 
 Peak. I knew it ! She's a spy ! 
 
 Clif. (starting). Oh, no, — no! 
 
 Steele. White! Miss Dorothy Elmstrom, at seven- 
 thirty instead of eight ! 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
ACT III 
 
 SCENE.— 7/^^ same as Act II. Saturday evening. The 
 seven testing chairs have been taken from the room, 
 
 the pulse register has been removed from the lo7tq 
 table. ^ On one end of this table a pair of brown gloves 
 are visible. 
 
 (Inspector Steele is seated at the small table, with a 
 large assortment of nezvspapers and other papers 
 spread out before him. On one end of the table is 
 a fruit dish, containing a number of apples, oranges 
 and bananas. He is eating one of the oranges while 
 he searches among the papers. Enter White. ) 
 
 White Mr. Holton says, sir, that he can send you 
 up a hot dinner within five minutes. 
 
 Steele. Oh, no, White, thank you. I couldn't be 
 bothered with it now. 
 
 White. Very well, sir. {He turns to the door, but 
 pauses.) Mr. Clifford has come, sir. 
 
 Steele. Good. {He rises. Enter George Clifford, 
 Exit White.) Well, Clifford? 
 
 Clif. Inspector, I can't find one thing ! I've worked 
 trom four this afternoon until this minute, everywhere 
 nShin^ ,"P Driscoll Wells' record. I've found absolutely 
 
 Steele {laughing slightly). Vm afraid that's because 
 you ve been looking for suspicious facts about the wrong- 
 person. But now look here. If you've been working 
 ever since four o'clock until this minute, you certainly 
 haven t had any dinner. {He starts toward the speaking- 
 tube.) Now, it won't take me five minutes to have 
 -tloiton send up 
 
 Clif. Oh, no, Mr. Steele ! Th^nk you, but I couldn't. 
 1 can t stop to eat,— I can't stop to do anything,— until 
 i ve proved that you're wrong. 
 
 52 
 
THE CONJURER . 53 
 
 Steele. Now, Clifford, all this about not eating is 
 nonsense. You can't expect to be able to do this thing 
 well to-night unless you sit right down here and 
 
 Clif. Inspector, I can't. It's very kind of you, 
 but 
 
 Steele. Well, then you'll at least have an apple or 
 something. 
 
 Clif. No, nothing, please. 
 
 Steele. Come, come. {He takes the fruit dish from 
 the table.) If you don't care for apples, here are oranges. 
 Take one, and have a banana, too, while you're 
 
 pLiF. Ogh, — no ! 
 
 {He turns away, and places his hands over his eyes. 
 Steele glances up quickly, and stares at him in 
 silence. At length he sets the fruit dish on the table ^ 
 and places his hand upon Clifford's shoulder. ) 
 
 Steele {quietly). Clifford, what's the trouble to- 
 night ? 
 
 Clif. {turning). Pardon me, Mr. Steele. I can't 
 help this. I know you're wrong in your suspicion. That 
 whole machine of yours was wrong, some way. And I 
 can't rest till I have made you see that. ^ 
 
 Steele {surprised). Why, you mean — in regard to 
 Miss Elmstrom ? 
 
 Clif. I do. Mr. Steele, she never stole that paper. 
 She's Marion's friend, and she didn't do it ! 
 
 Steele. I can't agree with you until I know. Seat 
 number five was the one which rang the bell. 
 
 Clif. Well, she may have been nervous from some 
 other cause. There must have been some other cause ! 
 
 Steele {indicating the pile of papers on the small 
 table). I have just spent the last two hours considering 
 that one point. 
 
 Clif. And what have you found? 
 
 Steele. What I have found does not tend toward 
 lessening my suspicion. 
 
 Clif. Inspector, this is all wrong. Driscoll Wells 
 stole that block of paper ! I can't prove it, but I know it ! 
 Hadn't he been travelling in Europe for about a year? 
 
54 THE CONJURER 
 
 Steele (taking the fruit dish from the small table). 
 Very true. But I must also remind you that Miss Elm- 
 strom has spent four years — in BerHn. 
 
 (He crosses to the long table, and sets the fruit dish 
 there. ) 
 
 Clip. But the envelope, and the address ! It's D, re- 
 member. D, for Driscoll ! 
 
 Steele (turning). Yes, yes ! And D for Dorothy ! 
 
 Clip. How could D, r 
 
 Steele. We don't know that ! We only guess the r. 
 Clifford, there is not one other person among Colonel 
 Anderson's guests whose first name begins with D. 
 Merely those two. You set a trap for one, and caught 
 the other. There is only one explanation ! 
 
 White (entering). Miss Elmstrom, sir. 
 
 Steele (quickly). Just a minute. (He goes quickly 
 to the small table and gathers up the pile of papers. He 
 opens a drawer on one of the sides, drops a pencil inside, 
 and partly closes it. To White.) You may send Miss 
 Elmstrom in. (He crosses to the door at l.) Clifford, 
 I'll be back immediately. 
 
 (Exit Steele, to the inner office. Enter Dorothy. 
 White leaves, closing the door.) 
 
 Dor. Oh, Mr. Clifford ! I — I rather expected to find 
 Mr. Steele. 
 
 Clif. He'll be back right away. Won't you be seated ? 
 
 Dor. Thank you. I — the Inspector sent word to me 
 that I should come at seven-thirty. I — I suppose that 
 means 
 
 Clip. It simply means that there has been a great mis- 
 take, Miss Elmstrom. You mustn't feel upset by any- 
 thing Mr. Steele may say. He doesn't know who com- 
 mitted the theft. Naturally, he doesn't like to overlook 
 anything. 
 
 Dor. Oh, I understand why he has sent for me. 
 That instrument, — the pulse register 
 
 Clip. That is only a machine. It could easily make 
 a mistake. 
 
THE CONJURER 55 
 
 Dor. But it wasn't a mistake. I was nervous, and — 
 frightened when you read that card. I don't wonder that 
 Mr. Steele suspects me. I imagine every one wiU sus- 
 pect me. They'll all think — perhaps I — stole the secret ! 
 
 Clif. Miss Elmstrom, you didn't do it! I'm sure of 
 that ! No matter what Steele says, I'll never suspect 
 you ! And I'll not let him suspect you, either. 
 
 Dor. It's good of you to say that, Mr. Clifford! I 
 don't believe I deserve it. You don't know anything 
 about me, except that I'm Marion's friend. 
 
 Clif. But it's really my duty now to do my best to 
 make Inspector Steele see that he is wrong. You know, 
 you were kind to me last evening, when Captain Gleason 
 was so — unpleasant. 
 
 Dor. Please don't remember that. You mustn't try 
 to argue with Mr. Steele, just for that reason, if you 
 really believe I — did it. 
 
 Clif. Miss Elmstrom, I don't believe that ! I'll never 
 believe it ! This whole thing is a mistake, some way. 
 Believe me, please. I 
 
 Enter Inspector Steele. Dorothy becomes nervous. 
 
 Steele. Good-evening, Miss Elmstrom. 
 
 Dor. {rising quickly). You requested me to come at 
 seven-thirty, Mr. Steele. 
 
 Steele. Quite right. At seven-thirty. 
 
 Clif. Inspector, Miss Elmstrom is nervous, and she 
 was nervous all the afternoon. Your methods here have 
 been frightening her. That's the whole explanation of 
 that register test. 
 
 Steele {quietly). Miss Elmstrom, please sit down. 
 And you shouldn't be worried about this. It is certainly 
 farthest from my intention to frighten you or to trouble 
 you in any way. I merely need a little information, and 
 I feel that you are the one who can give it to me. 
 
 Dor. Mr. Steele, I know that you have every right 
 to suspect me. I couldn't blame you if you should arrest 
 me now. I — ■■ — 
 
 Steele. Miss Elmstrom, please. I have not the least 
 intention of arresting you, I simply want information. 
 
5" THE CONJURER 
 
 I know that when you realize just what the loss of Dr 
 1 eak s process would mean to our country you will an- 
 swer me. ^ 
 
 Dor. Of course I will ! 
 
 Steele. Thank you. {He takes a chair by the table. ) 
 Perhaps you remember that the chair you occupied in the 
 test this afternoon was number five f ^^ uic 
 
 Dor. Yes. 
 
 Steele When my assistant examined the record later 
 he found that the bell had been rung by a very ^reat hi 
 crease of speed in the pulse action of number five I f e t 
 1 necessary to look into your case this afternoon and to 
 summon you here at this time. 
 
 Dor. I understand. 
 
 in Is ' Iua"^- *''' ^°" ''f ' 'P^"* ^^^ '^«t ^o"'- years 
 maeilm Studying music, I understand. 
 
 Dor. That is true. And I admit 
 
 M;=f pt"' . ^°" T*^?"'' "^^<^ *o ^''^■"'t anything. Now, 
 Miss Elmstrom, I have never known that pulsl registl; 
 to make a mistake. It shows clearly that you were in 
 
 aftefnoof' '^"'"°" ^*'" ^"^°''^ ''^^ *^t '^^'^ A^ 
 Dor. I was ! It was — terrible ' 
 
 aj™' '^''^" ^" ^ ^'^ y°" *° ^° '^ to explain that 
 Dor. Mr. Steele, I can't explain it ! I— I don't know 
 why It came! When I first sat down there everything 
 was a I right And through the whole test, until the very 
 end ,t was all right. But when Mr. Ciififord held up the 
 card and said there was a message on the other side -I 
 was frightened ! I wasn't afraid of the words ; I couldn' 
 even guess what they could be. But when he be<^an to 
 read It I could feel myself shaking all over And then 
 that bdl rang! Mr. Steele, it was a terrible sound if" 
 burst ope°!j' "'^ ^^'•-d'-ums, and I thought my head would 
 
 Clip. I'd like to know who frightened you ' 
 .f ,A I ^^/^ the bell that made me jumpl' I nearly 
 
 InZii-"''^ °/ "'' ''^^''- ^ ^^'t *at I must hold on o 
 something. I put out my hand, and grasped the arm of 
 the next chair with all my strength.^ I-I don't k^ow 
 
THE CONJURER 57 
 
 what I did! I must have caught Mr. Wells' wrist, and 
 twisted it against the arm of his chair, for I heard him 
 cry out in pain. 
 
 Steele. So that's the explanation! 
 
 Dor. Then I heard your voice, and I seemed to wake 
 up ! Mr. Steele, I've told you the truth, and every bit 
 of it! I don't know what frightened me, but I never 
 felt so — terribly — in my life ! 
 
 Clif. Inspector, I know that's the truth I 
 
 Steele. Until that moment you had not the slightest 
 feeling of agitation? 
 
 Dor. No ! 
 
 Steele. Miss Elmstrom, I'm sorry to say that you 
 have not told me all the truth. 
 
 Clif. Inspector 
 
 Steele. One moment, Clifford. Miss Elmstrom, you 
 were nervous before you ever sat in the testing chair. I 
 was watching every person in this office, and I am certain 
 of that. The reason why you wished to sit beside Miss 
 Marion Anderson was because you yourself were nervous. 
 
 Dor. {starting, and staring at him). Mr. Steele! 
 
 Steele. Tell me, please ! Isn't that the truth ? 
 
 Dor. {hesitating). Yes! 
 
 Steele. That's better. When I called your name, 
 and asked you to take your place in the chair, you started. 
 You never noticed that you had dropped your handker- 
 chief rtntil Dr. Peak restored it to you, I must know the 
 exact cause of this uneasiness. 
 
 Dor. I — don't believe I can explain it. 
 
 Steele. I'm really afraid that you'll have to ex- 
 plain it. 
 
 Dor. Oh, can't you understand, Mr, Steele? I 
 can't — I don't know what it was. {She hesitates.) I 
 was afraid — of Dr. Peak! 
 
 Steele. Of Dr. Peak? 
 
 DoR. It must have been. I knew he — he didn't like 
 me, and I felt sure he would suspect me if he could. 
 And then, too, I remembered what Mr. Clifford said last 
 night about your power to discover a guilty person after 
 talking with him five minutes, — and I was afraid of you ! 
 Oh, Mr. Steele, I know everything is against me! I've 
 
5^ THE CONJURER 
 
 been In Germany, and all ! But I'm not a traitoress ! I 
 love America ! I didn't steal the paper ! Won't you be- 
 lieve me? 
 
 Steele (rising). Miss Elmstrom, I believe you. 
 
 Dor. Thank you ! 
 
 Steele. But I confess I don't know who did steal it 1 
 And we must find out, to-night! (He turns to Clif- 
 ford.) There's just one course which is still open to us. 
 If we could make the thief believe that we had already 
 smgled out some one else for suspicion,— if we could 
 make him think that he is no longer in danger,— then he 
 would be careless. 
 
 Clif. Great! Driscoll Wells was heard to crv 
 out -^ 
 
 Steele. No, no ! He'd never stand it, Clifford. He 
 would defy you to show that card, and we'd be helpless. 
 
 Dor. Oh, Mr. Steele ! Let me ! 
 
 Clif. Oh, would you do it ? 
 
 Dor. rd be glad to help you ! 
 
 Steele. You mean that you would be willing to let 
 us accuse you before them all ? 
 
 Dor. I — I would do anything to help you save the 
 secret, Mr. Steele. 
 
 Steele (gratefully). Miss Elmstrom, if you'll do 
 that for us 
 
 Enter White. 
 
 White. Miss Marion Anderson, and her sister, in 
 the waiting-room, sir. 
 
 Steele. They're very early. See that they don't 
 come in here. I'll be busy for the next fifteen minutes. 
 (He goes to the door at l.) I wonder if you'd mind 
 waiting with them. Miss Elmstrom ? 
 
 (Exit Steele, to the inner office. Dorothy, instead 
 of leaving at once, buries her face in her handker- 
 chief. ) 
 
 Clif. (hurrying to her). I'm sorry, Miss Elmstrom! 
 You know it's all right now ! We both know you're inno- 
 cent! 
 
THE CONJURER 59 
 
 Dor. Oh, you — you mustn't mind me, Mr. Clifford. 
 I can't help this. It's been such a trial. 
 
 Clif. Of course it has. But I know you've told the 
 truth, in every word you've said. It's wonderful of you 
 to help us! And I think you're just about the finest 
 American I've ever known ! 
 
 Dor. (rising). Oh, you are so kind! 
 
 Clif. (assisting her to the door). And if there's any- 
 thing in the world I can ever do for you, — I hope you'll 
 tell me i I 
 
 (Exit Dorothy, to the waiting-room. Steele enters 
 at once.) 
 
 Steele. Clifford. 
 
 Clif. Yes. What is it? 
 
 Steele. I have a little confession which I suppose I 
 should make. 
 
 Clif. A confession? 
 
 Steele. Yes. (He goes slowly to the small table.) 
 1 haven't been quite on the level with you. 
 
 (He goes to the drawer which he has left partly open, 
 holds up a small dark instrument from within, and 
 replaces it.) 
 
 Clif. A dictaphone! You've been listening. 
 
 Steele. Exactly. It's been there since Miss Elm- 
 strom first came in. I thought she might say something 
 in my absence that she wouldn't care to say in my pres- 
 ence. (He hesitates an instant.) Well, as a result of 
 this, I have one rather serious question which I wish to 
 ask you. 
 
 Clif. Oh! You mean when you spoke about that 
 card — 
 
 Steele (shaking his head). Not that. In fact, this 
 is in regard to a very different matter. (He pauses, and 
 goes on slowly.) It's merely this. Do you think you're 
 quite — fair — to Miss Anderson ? (Clifford gives a start 
 of surprise, and stares at the Inspector.) I hope you'll 
 not feel offended by this. 
 
 Clif. Of course I'll not, Mr. Steele. I — I realize that 
 
60 THE CONJURER 
 
 you're right. I'm not fair at all. But I Oh, I 
 
 don't know what has made me feel as I have about 
 Marion, yesterday and to-day. I've loved her for two 
 years, and I still love her, but I — I'd be blind if I couldn't 
 see the truth, after what happened this afternoon. I 
 hate to admit it, even to myself, but I can't help it. 
 She's — she seems — selfish. 
 
 Steele (slowly). Yes, I suppose you're right. But 
 you should try to overlook it. 
 
 Clif. I know it, Mr. Steele. I do know it. Oh, I — 
 I can't see what makes me feel as I have to-day, about — 
 Miss Elmstroin! (He hesitates.) 1 know you must un- 
 derstand! She's so much bigger! 
 
 Steele. I know. (He presses the bell. Enter 
 White.) White, kindly ask Miss Elmstrom to step in 
 here again for a moment. [Exit White. 
 
 Clif. What are you going to do ? 
 
 Steele. I forgot one very important point. (Enter 
 Dorothy.) Miss Elmstrom, I'm very sorry to have to 
 ask you to come in again. But there is one more question 
 which I feel I must ask. 
 
 Dor. Certainly. 
 
 Steele. It is in regard to your father. (She makes 
 a little involuntary gesture.) I know it's brutal of me 
 to bring all that back to your mind. But I'm afraid I 
 must. I knew Mr. Henry Elmstrom quite well, just be- 
 fore he took that fatal trip on the professor's yacht. I 
 understand that he was a — a German, and that he was 
 born in Germany. 
 
 Dor. That is very true. But he came to America at 
 the age of twenty. He became an American citizen, and 
 married an American lady, and spent the rest of his life 
 in chemical work here. 
 
 Steele. And he never returned to Germany? 
 
 Dor. No, never. Four years ago he sent me to Ber- 
 lin, to study music. I — I never saw him again. But he 
 was a true American. There was never a thought in his 
 mind except loyalty to our country. Oh, Mr. Steele, ar- 
 rest me if you think I'm guilty ! But please — please don't 
 say anything against my father ! 
 
 Steele. My dear young lady, I never had the slight- 
 
THE CONJURER 6l 
 
 est thought of doing so. All I need to know, and all I 
 ask you to tell me, is this. Was he ever in chemical work 
 with Dr. Peak? 
 
 ( Dorothy gives a start. ) 
 
 Dor. No ! No ! They were never working together, 
 at any time! 
 
 Steele. Then-.— er — just what were his relations with 
 Dr. Peak? 
 
 Dor. Oh ! . I — I knew you would learn of it, some 
 wa}^ Mr. Steele! (She hesitates.) The doctor hated 
 him, — hated him,— with as great a hatred' as one man 
 could ever have toward another! (She pauses.) That 
 is why I was so afraid of Dr. Peak to-day. I knew he 
 would suspect me, if he could. 
 
 Steele. I am very much obliged to you. I'll not 
 keep you any longer. 
 
 Dor. You'll not suspect my father! Please promise 
 me that ! 
 
 Steele. I promise you. 
 
 (Dorothy turns, and walks slowly to the door^ Sud- 
 denly she stops, and gives a frightened, shuddering 
 glance at some object on the long table. Then, in- 
 voluntarily covering her eyes, she shivers, and hurries 
 out. Inspector Steele stands in silence. He is 
 staring tozvard thie long table. Gradually a strange, 
 silently menacing expression comes over his face.) 
 
 Clip. Inspector, what on earth was the matter with 
 her then? 
 
 Steele (after a pause). So that's it! 
 
 Clif. What? What is it? 
 
 Steele (turning suddenly to the small table). Oh, 
 I've been a fool, Clifford! A fool! I've let some one 
 make an idiot of me ! 
 
 Clip. Mr. Steele, what have you found? Who 
 was it? 
 
 Steele (glancing at his watch). Clifford, we have 
 just eight minutes to get ready for them! We can't 
 waste one second now! 
 
62 
 
 THE CONJURER 
 
 Clip. But, Inspector 
 
 Steele. Not now ; we haven't time. Sit down here, 
 quickly, please. Now. This afternoon you told me how 
 you did that last card-reading mystery of yours, — the one 
 where you make the name of a chosen card pop right out 
 in black letters on a blank sheet of paper. 
 
 Clif. Yes ! 
 
 Steele. You said you did that trick with a stuff you 
 called '' reappearing ink." An ink that disappears when 
 you apply heat, but pops right back again when you stop 
 heating. I suppose you could do that trick with some of 
 my own brand of " reappearing ink." 
 
 Clif. Of course 
 
 Steele {rising). Then we'll do that, at once. 
 
 {He rings the hell) 
 
 Clif. But I'm certain that my ink is a little more 
 rapid in action than yours. Here,— here's the way to 
 prepare it. You could have it made up m two minutes ; 
 it's an antimony compound. 
 
 {He hands Steele a slip of paper. Enter White.) 
 
 Steele. White, tell Foster to send up a bottle of my 
 "reappearing ink " at once. Wait. Have him mix this 
 antimony compound, if he has the materials. {Hands 
 him the paper.) If not, he is to send up my regular ink, 
 right away. 
 
 White. Yes, sir. [Exit. 
 
 Steele. Now, what else ? 
 
 Clif. A frame, if you have it. A metal or wooden 
 frame for the paper, about a foot square. 
 
 Steele. Good! I have the very thing here, some- 
 where. {He goes to a drawer in the long table.) Here. 
 How is this? 
 
 {He exhibits a thin wooden frame, which is held up- 
 right by a three-legged support.) 
 
 Clif. That couldn't be better. 
 
 (Steele sets it on the small table.) 
 
THE CONJURER 63 
 
 Steele. Now, here's my plan. I intend to make it 
 perfectly clear that I suspect Miss Elmstrom. I'm go- 
 ing to seem to be trying to complete evidence against her. 
 This will make the real thief feel all the more secure. To 
 do this, I intend to place in this frame the exact letters 
 and numbers which we found on the corner of that en- 
 velope. 
 
 Clif. But the address, 28! 
 
 Steele. No one will notice that, except Miss 
 Elmstrom herself. She has promised to say nothing. 
 Then 
 
 Enter White, with a small bottle. 
 
 White. Your '' reappearing ink," sir. 
 
 Steele {taking the bottle). This is my regular ink. 
 The other 
 
 White. Mr. Foster is sorry, sir, but he used up the 
 last of the alimony last week. 
 
 Steele (laughing). All right. That's all. (Exit 
 White.) Now we'll see. 
 
 (He takes a large sheet of paper and a small brush 
 from a drawer. Opening the bottle of ink, he prints 
 a word in heavy black letters on the paper.) 
 
 Clip. That is visible when cold, of course. 
 
 Steele. Yes. There is the word ''America " in heavy 
 black letters. Now we'll attach this paper to the frame 
 here. 
 
 (He does so. He then takes the electric lamp which 
 is on the small table. This is a student's lamp of 
 medium size, with a metal reflector and a long, 
 flexible neck. He lights this, and sets it directly be- 
 hind the frame on the small table.) 
 
 Clif. It will take a minute for the lamp's rays to 
 warm it. 
 
 Steele (standing aside quickly). There! It's gone. 
 (The blank sheet of paper is visible on the frame.) Now 
 this paper is apparently blank. However, let us turn 
 off the light. (He snaps it off. In a flash the word 
 
64 THE CONJURER 
 
 "America" appears on the paper.) Ah! That's per- 
 fect! Now to real business. 
 
 Clif. Just what do you plan to do? 
 
 Steele. First of all, to make the thief believe he's 
 safe. Next, to announce that you will cause the rest of 
 the writing on that envelope to appear on a sheet of this 
 paper. Then, when all present are staring at the paper 
 on the frame, waiting for the name of Dorothy Ehii- 
 strom to appear after the letter D, — then will come the 
 real name ! 
 
 Clif. By Jove ! ( Steele suddenly removes the frame 
 from the table, leaving the electric light. He turns this 
 on, and screws the hidb around an instant. He then goes 
 to his chair at the other end of the table.) What's this? 
 
 Steele. There's a chance that this person might be- 
 come desperate, and try to snatch away the paper before 
 I could put out the lamp behind it. Clifford, do you call 
 yourself fairly quick? 
 
 Clif. Yes. Why ? 
 
 Steele. You are standing within three feet of that 
 light there. I am farther away, and sitting down. 
 Could you be quick enough to pick up that lamp before 
 I could put it out? 
 
 Clif. Of course I could ! 
 
 Steele {leaning forward, waiting). Then — try it! 
 
 (Clifford makes a sudden dash for the electric lamp. 
 But, at his first^ step, Steele bangs sharply with his 
 fist upon his own end of the table. Instantly, the 
 light on the table goes out. ' Clifford, in the act of 
 clutching at it, starts back.) 
 
 Clif. Great Caesar's ghost ! (Inspector Steele gives 
 him a long, silent stare. Clifford impidsively strides to- 
 ward Steele.) By Jove, Inspector, I'm not in it with 
 you ! 
 
 Steele {laughing). My dear fellow, there's no con- 
 juring to that. Look. I merely loosened this bulb, so 
 that any violent jar upon the table would break the 
 circuit. Watch. {He again adjusts the btdb, and raps 
 upon the table. Again the light goes out.) Now, you 
 
THE CONJURER 65 
 
 see, all I need do later is to rap upon this table, to bring 
 out that name on the paper. We'll now proceed. Here 
 is a second slfeet of paper, which I prepared this after- 
 noon. {He holds it up.) You see that I have written 
 there, in ordinary black ink, just what we found on that 
 envelope. Of course I've magnified it greatly. 
 
 Clif. That's good ! 
 
 Steele. There is the capital D, you see, and the be- 
 ginning of another letter. Then, below that, are the 
 figures, 2, 8. Right here in the rest of the space I am 
 now going to finish out, in " reappearing ink," the name 
 and address of the real thief ! 
 
 Clif, But are you sure you know 
 
 Enter Wpiite. 
 
 White. Colonel Anderson wants to see you at once, 
 sir. 
 
 Steele. Send him in. (£jir?V White.) Clifford, talk 
 to him for a minute. I don't want him looking at this 
 now. 
 
 (Steele quickly carries the small table to the hack of 
 the room, placing it in plain view, near the wall. 
 He spreads the second sheet of paper on the table, 
 and leans over it. Enter Colonel Anderson. 
 Clifford hurries to meet him,. Steele keeps on 
 using his brush on the paper, screening the writing 
 from viezv by bending closely over it.) 
 
 And. Well, George, what luck? 
 
 Clif. Very good luck. Colonel. We have the thief 
 just where we want him. It's not Miss Elmstrom ; she's 
 on the level. 
 
 And. Inspector, what on earth are you doing there? 
 
 Steele (zvithout turning) . Merely preparing, Colonel. 
 (He again sets the frame upon the front of the table, and 
 lights the lamp close behind it. He then attaches the pre- 
 pared paper close to the frame, still screening it care- 
 fidly. He steps aside. The letter D and the figures 2 8 
 are now visible on the paper; the rest is apparently blank.) 
 
66 THE CONJURER 
 
 There. I can't explain about all this now, Colonel. 
 You had sonjething to tell me ? 
 
 And. Yes. The truth of it is, I am so sorry for Dr. 
 Peak that I almost wish you could do as he asks. This 
 has been a terrible shock to him, and he feels that he is to 
 blame for it all. 
 
 Steele. Has something happened since this after- 
 noon ? 
 
 And. Yes. The poor man has broken down under 
 the strain. It was about six o'clock this evening, when I 
 heard him in his room. He was sobbing, Mr. Steele, on 
 the foot of his bed. I heard him saying over and over 
 again, "America ! My country ! Oh, my God ! My 
 God ! " I went to him, and tried to cheer him up, but he 
 refused to eat any dinner, and he's hardly able to come 
 here to-night. 
 
 Clip. Poor man ! Mr. Steele, we must find that ! 
 
 And. He doesn't believe you can ever find it. He 
 only seems to wish now that we could drop the whole 
 matter, and let the Government find out the loss. It has 
 broken his heart ! 
 
 Steele. Let the matter drop? Of course we'll not. 
 Colonel, we've got the thief. His name is over there on 
 that sheet of paper. 
 
 And. (starting). What! 
 
 (He runs forward, and peers at the stand.) 
 
 Steele. Oh, you can't see it now; there's only the 
 first of it there. But you will see it, very soon. (He 
 rings the hell. Enter White.) It is five minutes after 
 eight. Kindjy ask them all to step inside. (Exit White. ) 
 Now, Clifford, show us that you're an actor! .And re- 
 member that I can put out that lamp by simply rapping 
 on the table! (Enter Marion Anderson and Edith, 
 followed by Dorothy Elmstrom, Dr. Peak, Driscoll 
 Wells, and Hamilton Warwick. When the ladies are 
 seated at l. of the room, Steele places a chair at r, for 
 Dr. Peak. The doctor is nervous. Wells gives a little 
 exclamation when he catches sight of the letter and nnni- 
 bers on the paper on the frame. Steele, counting.) 
 
THE CONJURER 67 
 
 Nine of us present. Again two are late. {He takes a 
 telephone director;^ from the long table, and searches a 
 moment, while the others take their positions at L. 
 White brings in three more chairs, and leaves.) I — er — 
 does any one know where I should look for Captain Glea- 
 son's telephone number ? I'm afraid he has forgotten 
 
 Edith. It's under his own name, Mr. Steele. 
 
 Steele. But there isn't one Frank Gleason in the city. 
 
 Edith. Oh, of course you didn't know! His name 
 is Drummond Gleason, — Frank Drummond Gleason. We 
 all call him Frank, but he never uses that name in writing. 
 
 Steele. Oh, thank you. Yes, here it is. 
 
 White (entering). Miss Gleason, and Captain Glea- 
 son, sir. [Exit. 
 
 Enter Ellen Gleason and Captain Gleason. 
 
 Steele. Good-evening. Just in time, Captain. Oh, 
 by the way, I believe you left your gloves on the table 
 here this afternoon. 
 
 (He takes a pair of brown gloves from the long table.) 
 
 Glea. Oh, thank you. (He stares at the paper on 
 the stand. ) May I inquire what that is ? 
 
 Steele (laughing). Nothing alarming. Captain. A 
 little more science! (He turns to the others.) Many of 
 you have seen Mr. Clifford cause the name of a chosen 
 card to pop out on a blank sheet of paper. There (point- 
 ing to the table) we have an enlarged reproduction of the 
 writing on the envelope which the thief dropped last even- 
 ing ! Clifford and I have made a little agreement. If I 
 can give logical proof against the person who stole Dr. 
 Peak's process, then he will, by his science, fill out the 
 blank space on that enlarged envelope ! 
 
 (A start from all.) 
 
 War. That's impossible ! 
 
 Steele. I have promised to make known, at this time, 
 the result of this afternoon's pulse register test. (Wells 
 catches his breath.) This was the result. Every record 
 was regular except one. The bell which ended the test 
 
68 THE CONJURER 
 
 was rung by the occupant of seat number five ! (A gen- 
 eral start.) And I am forced to announce also that this 
 particular person was — Miss Dorothy Elmstrom! 
 
 Marion (starting). Dorothy! 
 
 Steele (slowly). Miss Dorothy Elmstrom spent four 
 years in Berlin. She learned music. She learned also to 
 forget America! She came back; she came as a guest 
 to Colonel Anderson's home; she learned of Dr. Peak's 
 coming visit ; she 
 
 Marion. Dorothy, you didn't ! 
 
 Steele. There is no other possibility, Miss Anderson. 
 We have caught the person who came to your home as a 
 guest, with her whole heart set upon serving her Father- 
 land ! We've found the evidence 
 
 And. Inspector ! 
 
 Steele. And now, if I can show Clifford how she did 
 it, — he will show us the guilty name ! (He takes a step 
 forward.) Friends, look how you are grouped! It is 
 almost identically the same as during the experiment in 
 Colonel Anderson's home last evening! (Edith gives a 
 start. ) Clifford and Dr. Peak are apart from the others. 
 Colonel Anderson is near the small table. The others are 
 in one end of the room. There is a small table, with an 
 electric lamp. Now, if there is any one present who is 
 not convinced of Miss Elmstrom's guilt, I'll give you a 
 demonstration! (No one speaks.) Colonel Anderson, 
 are you? 
 
 And. I can't believe it! But I — I*m afraid it must 
 be true ! 
 
 Steele. And Dr. Peak ! Are you satisfied ? 
 
 Peak. I am! She is a spy! She tricked her own 
 friend, Marion Anderson ! And she must suffer for it ! 
 
 Steele. She shall ! Clifford, — you ! 
 
 Cltf. I know she did it, but I don't know how she 
 did it ! 
 
 Steele. And you want me to show you 
 
 Clif. I want you to show me — how she ever reached 
 that switch ! 
 
 Steele. I'll do it! And when I do,— when I show 
 you how she put out that lamp 
 
 Clip. Then I'll fill that blank space on the paper ! 
 
THE CONJURER 69 
 
 (Excited exclamations from all.) 
 
 Steele. I'll ask every one to watch ! (He joins the 
 group at l.) Now we are exactly as we were last even- 
 ing. I shall go through that scene, step by step. Colonel, 
 can you reach that card-case on the large table ? It will 
 serve as the black box to-night. And that large book 
 beside it, too. It's about as large as your chemistry was. 
 (He pauses.) Clifford, we are ready now; take your 
 place. Every one keep an eye on the switch on the wall 
 behind us. It's just where Colonel Anderson's switch 
 was ! And watch that paper for the guilty name ! 
 
 (Clifford steps into the middle of the room.) 
 
 Clif. This is two minutes before the theft. Dr. Peak 
 is about to write his secret. (He ties a handkerchief over 
 his own eyes, and seats himself, hack toward the others.) 
 I have been blindfolded. I am waiting. Dr. Peak goes 
 to the table to write his process. 
 
 Steele. Kindly do so now. Dr. Peak. 
 
 Peak. Of course ! 
 
 (He goes to the small table at the hack of the room.) 
 
 Clif. But I hear him say, " I am not going to write 
 near this table! " 
 
 (Steele nods to Dr. Peak.) 
 
 Peak. I am not going to write near this table ! 
 
 Clif. He walks away about five feet. (Dr. Peak 
 does it.) He writes on the block of paper, and tears off 
 the sheet. He walks to the table, and drops it into the 
 box. Colonel Anderson locks it. (Dr. Peak walks to 
 the table, goes through the motion of dropping a paper, 
 and returns. ) Then Marion says, " It's done ! " 
 
 Marion (from her chair) . It's done! 
 
 Clif. Dr. Peak says, " I don't intend that he shall use 
 this book. Colonel, have you the key? " 
 
 Peak. But I — I haven't the book here now. 
 
 Steele. Perhaps you had better get it. 
 
 (Dr. Peak goes to the table, gets the hook, and returns,) 
 
70 THE CONJURER 
 
 Peak. Now. I don't intend that he sHall use this 
 book. Colonel, have you the key? 
 
 Clif. Then 
 
 And. I have ! 
 
 Clif. Dr. Peak said, "We are ready. The amyl 
 process is in the box ! " 
 
 Peak. We are ready. The amyl process is in the 
 box! 
 
 Clif. Then some one — I don't know who — said, 
 " Science, we await you ! " 
 
 {A short pause.) 
 
 Glea. Science, we await you ! 
 
 Clif. Then — I heard some one move ! (All start, and 
 stare around at each other. No one has moved. Breath- 
 less, they watch Clifford, who rises.) I got up! I 
 turned around! I pulled the handkerchief down from 
 my eyes! {He does it.) And then — it happened! 
 
 {A gasp from Wells.) 
 
 Wells. Look! Look at Mr. Clifford! 
 
 (Clifford is staggering, as he did the night before. 
 His breath is coming in great gasps. ) 
 
 Marion (in terror). George, what is the matter? 
 
 Steele. That's it, Miss Anderson! That's exactly 
 what you said last night! No, no, — he's only acting, 
 now ! Colonel Anderson 
 
 And. I called out, " George ! " 
 
 Steele. Now, watch the table, and the paper I (Clif- 
 ford gives a startled gasp, and stares toward the other 
 end of the room, over their heads. They turn. There is 
 nothing there.) Then, Dr. Peak, you cried, "Mr. Clif- 
 ford, you are ill ? Help him ! He's hurt ! " 
 
 Peak {mechanically repeating the words). Mr. Clif- 
 ford, are you ill ? Help him ! He's hurt ! 
 
 Steele. You threw the book onto the table, and 
 
 started toward him. And then Do it, Doctor! 
 
 Doit! 
 
THE CONJURER 71 
 
 {There is a stifled cry from some one in the hack of 
 the room. Dr. Peak starts, and awakes to action.) 
 
 Peak {wildly). She never went near the switch! 
 She cut the wire, — the lamp cord ! 
 
 {He starts forward toward Clifford.) 
 
 Steele. No! No! You didn't take the book with 
 you ! You threw it onto the table ! Wait ! You threw 
 the book ! You threw the book ! 
 
 Peak {repeating slowly, as though in a dream). I 
 threw the book ! I threw the book ! And then 
 
 {He turns, and stares at the table. He starts to speak, 
 hut fails. Then, taking aim, he throws the hook. 
 He watches, fascinated, as it travels through the air. 
 It lands upon the table with a bang. And with the 
 shock the table light goes out. Peak staggers 
 hack, with a choking cry of fear. Colonel Ander- 
 son springs to the table. And, as he whirls, the 
 hlack, clear letters pop out on the paper beside the 
 D and the 28.) 
 
 And. Great God! It's Dr. Gordon Peak! 
 
 { The Doctor drops to a chair, and buries his head. )' 
 
 Steele. That's it! That's what came after the D 
 and the r on the envelope ! And there's the twenty-eight, 
 which wasn't twenty-eight at all, but two eighty-five Cen- 
 tral Street ! Dr. Peak, it was the chance of a lifetime 
 when Clifford asked you to let him try his trick upon your 
 secret ! You took your own secret, because you knew 
 that once it was reported " stolen " you would be free to 
 deal with German agents ! 
 
 Peak {springing up). No! No! No! 
 
 Steele. It's useless to deny it, sir! Who was the 
 one who had discovered Clifford's conjuring secret? 
 You were ! Who insisted upon writing that process, 
 against all our objections? You did ! Who adjusted the 
 four bulbs in the table lamp, just as this one was adjusted, 
 so that the light would go out at the first jar upon the 
 table? You did! You insisted upon blindfolding Clif- 
 
72 THE CONJURER 
 
 ford yourself, with your own handkerchief ! You wanted 
 me to drop the case, and make the matter pubhc ! 
 
 Clif. But he couldn't have known I would be so 
 frightened in the trick last night ! 
 
 Steele. Ah, that's exactly what he did know ! When 
 did your fear first come ? It came when you pulled down 
 the handkerchief from before your eyes, — so that it came 
 before your mouth. Then you began to breathe 
 
 And. Amy I nitrite! 
 
 Steele. Exactly, Colonel Anderson! What is more 
 natural ? He tricked us with the substance which he un- 
 derstood the best, — the basis of his own discovery! He 
 blindfolded Clifford with his own handkerchief, you re- 
 member. 
 
 Clif. And when I pulled it down before my mouth 
 
 Steele. The effects of amyl nitrite. A terrific 
 pounding of the heart. A dreadful dizziness. A feeling 
 as though the head would burst. And a terrible sensation 
 of fear which you could not explain ! He knew well that 
 we would attribute it all to the heart trouble in your fam- 
 ily. Then, while you stood there helpless, he started 
 forward as if to help you, — and threw the book ! 
 
 And. But, Inspector ! The pulse register ! 
 
 Steele. That's where he played the cleverest trick of 
 all. Two things he must do; namely, make the theft 
 public, and throw suspicion on some one of your guests. 
 He outwitted that pulse register for the first time in our 
 history! (He turns to the others.) When Miss Elm- 
 strom dropped her handkerchief just before the test, — 
 who restored it? 
 
 Dor. Oh ! I understand ! Then came the fear that / 
 couldn't explain ! And the pounding of my heart 
 
 Steele. The pounding of your heart and pulse — rang 
 the bell in the register! He knew it would! Clifford 
 covered his eyes in agony this evening at the very thought 
 of eating a banana. Bananas, — banana oil, — amyl ! And 
 Miss Elmstrom shuddered in dread at the mere sight of 
 those bananas on the other table there ! 
 
 And. It's more than I can believe ! 
 
 (Dr. Peak rises slowly.) 
 
THE CONJURER 73 
 
 Peak. Inspector Steele, — I did it ! I — I couldn't help 
 it ! On my honor, — I couldn't help it ! Three years ago 
 I gave up my practice, — I gave up all I had, — to work for 
 America ! I spent my last penny, — I went into debt, — I 
 kept on in debt, — until I gave amyl trench gas to my coun- 
 try ! And then they wouldn't pay ! They wouldn't trust 
 me when I told them that the gas would never fail ! They 
 wouldn't even — help me — in the debt! {He chokes.) 
 I'd given all I had to America, Mr. Steele ! I couldn't 
 stand the debt ! I couldn't bear disgrace ! I couldn't 
 face ruin, — and a prison sentence ! {He hesitates.) So 
 I — I told Kurtz I'd sell it! {He takes a long breath.) 
 I've tried to sell my country's secret ! I've tried to, — but 
 I couldn't do it ! I saw my chance last night. I took it ! 
 I tried my best to go through with it to-day ! But — I 
 couldn't do it ! I couldn't send that gas to Germany, to 
 murder our own soldiers ! This afternoon I thought I 
 could ! But when Kurtz sent word to me to-night, — I 
 told him I would never sell ! Believe me, Mr. Steele, — 
 believe me! I burned that paper in my room to-night, 
 and prayed you'd never know how near I'd been — to 
 infamy ! 
 
 And. Doctor ! 
 
 Peak. Won't you believe me, Mr. Steele? In the 
 name of justice, won't you believe me? I couldn't be the 
 coward I had tried to be ! I'll face that debt now, and 
 ruin, too ! I stole it ; I fooled every one of you ; I tried 
 to make an innocent girl suffer for it! {He straightens 
 his bent shoulders.) But I never played the traitor to 
 my country, and I never will ! 
 
 {He sinks back into his chair. Colonel Anderson 
 goes to his side. Inspector Steele turns to face the 
 others. They are silent.) 
 
 Steele {slowly). We may consider this investiga- 
 tion as dropped, at this point. {He turns to Anderson.) 
 Colonel Anderson, if the Government officials at Wash- 
 ington do not attend to Dr. Peak's laboratory debt within 
 one week, kindly let me know of the matter at once ! 
 
 {He bows to the others, in sign of dismissal.) 
 
74 ^ THE CONJURER 
 
 And. (rising, with Dr. Peak). Inspector, — we thank 
 you! 
 
 (Dr. Peak is not able to speak to Steele; he gives him 
 his hand in silence, on his way to the door. The 
 other's turn to follow.) 
 
 Glea. (crossing to Steele). Inspector, your method 
 of solving this affair was absolutely the best piece of work 
 I ever 
 
 Steele (quickly). Pardon me, Captain ! Let me re- 
 mind you that Mr. George Clifford has done this ! 
 
 Glea. Oh ! (He hesitates, and then goes to Clif- 
 ford.) George, I've been a cad! But I'm sorry, and I 
 hope you'll forget it, after I sail. I'll only hope I can do 
 as much in France as you've done here to-day ! 
 
 Clif. (shaking hands). Forget it, Frank. And good 
 luck! 
 
 (Gleason goes out with Steele. The others follow, 
 except Clifford. Dorothy Elmstrom, whoi is the 
 last one going out, turns.) 
 
 Dor. Mr. Clifford, I heard what Captain Gleason said 
 just now. And they all understand how splendid you've 
 been ! I'm so glad, — for you ! 
 
 Clif. For me? Miss Elmstrom, I (He takes 
 
 her hand suddenly.) Dorothy, I wish I could make you 
 understand how much I 
 
 Dor. Mr. Chfford! 
 
 (Very slowly she zvithdraws her hand.) 
 
 Clif. Oh, I'm sorry! I certainly didn't mean to — I 
 only wanted you to know 
 
 Dor. Oh, you needn't be — sorry! But — don't you 
 see? (She hesitates.) I came as Marion's friend. I 
 can't — I'll not We can always be friends, can't we? 
 
 Clif. You know we can ! 
 
 Enter Colonel Anderson and Marion, followed by 
 Steele. 
 
THE CONJURER 75 
 
 And. Miss Elmstrom, Dr. Peak has something he 
 would like to say to you. 
 
 Dor. Certainly, Colonel Anderson. 
 
 (Dorothy and the Colonel go out, while Steele turns 
 quickly to the table.) 
 
 Marion {hurrying to Clifford). Oh, George, Tm 
 proud of you now! Proud of you! You've been so 
 wonderful! {She puts her arm on his shoulder.) You 
 did it all yourself, every bit of it, and you're a hero — my 
 hero — at last! 
 
 {And Inspector Steele laughs silently as he leaves the 
 room.) 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 NOTE 
 
 The effect of producing the writing on a blank sheet 
 of paper at the end of the third act is brought about in a 
 manner somewhat different from that described by the 
 character Steele. " Sympathetic " and " reappearing " 
 inks act in just the reverse way in actual use. They are 
 visible when heated, and quite invisible when cold. For 
 the sake of a better climax at the end of the play, this 
 brand of " reappearing ink " has been reversed in its 
 action, so that it will fit in satisfactorily with Steele's plan 
 of exposure. 
 
 This effect may be obtained in two ways. The first, 
 and by far the more simple, is brought about by the rapid 
 chemical action of hydrogen sulphide gas upon lead 
 acetate. The lead acetate solution should be mixed with 
 a little glycerine, to keep it moist during the performance. 
 Use a small paint brush, and paint with this mixture, on 
 
76 THE CONJURER 
 
 a large sheet of white paper, the words which are to 
 appear. After the paper has been allowed to stand for 
 perhaps two minutes, it will be apparently quite blank. 
 The hydrogen sulphide should be conveyed by means of 
 a concealed rubber tube, extending from the table upon 
 which the stand is to be placed, and connected with a 
 small generator at some point behind the stage. The table 
 should have a cloth covering folded in such a way as to 
 hide the rubber tube when it is extended across the table. 
 The tube must run parallel to the stand which holds the 
 prepared paper, and within half an inch of the bottom of 
 the sheet. It must have a series of small perforations 
 extending to exactly the width of the paper, so that the 
 gas will be liberated where it is needed, and nowhere else. 
 It should also be provided with a metal clip for instantly 
 stopping the flow of gas after the writing has been made 
 to appear. Hydrogen sulphide must not be allowed to 
 escape afterwards in large quantities, for its odor is cer- 
 tain to be offensive to the audience if this occurs. The 
 generator, which may be nothing more than a bottle with 
 a rubber stopper and delivery tube, should not be set in 
 action until the moment that the gas is required. The 
 gas is formed in the generator by the action of hydro- 
 chloric or sulphuric acid upon iron sulphide. Iron sul- 
 phide and lead acetate may be obtained at any store where 
 chemical supplies are sold, and may be found in any 
 school laboratory. Remember that the stand must be 
 placed on the table so that the paper is close to the holes 
 in the tube, and that the gas must be cut off instantly 
 afterwards. 
 
 If this method should seem impracticable because of a 
 lack of stage facilities or for any other reason, a purely 
 mechanical device for exchanging two sheets of paper 
 may be obtained from W. D. Leroy, a dealer in magical 
 supplies, at 103 Court Street, Boston, Mass., or from any 
 other magical establishment. The apparatus consists of 
 a wooden frame with apparently one thickness of glass, 
 and provided with a device for instantaneously removing 
 one sheet of paper and revealing another in its place. 
 This method requires that a slot be cut in the table, and 
 that there be an assistant behind the stage to pull a string 
 
THE CONJURER 77 
 
 at the proper instant. It has some advantages over the 
 other, although it will be found less dependable. 
 
 The gas method may possibly require four or five sec- 
 onds for the action to take place. You will note, how- 
 ever, that this short interval has been provided for in the 
 play. Colonel Anderson, at the final exposure, runs to 
 the stand and stares at it while the writing is appearing, 
 thus screening it for the necessary space of time. If it is 
 found absolutely necessary to do so, Steele's first demon- 
 stration with the word "America " may be omitted. 
 
THE BIG DRUM 
 
 A Comedy in Four Acts 
 
 By Arthur Pinero 
 Twelve males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three in« 
 teriors. Plays a full evening. Acting rights strictly reserved for the 
 present. Sir Arthur Pinero's latest play, not yet produced in this country. 
 The text is here offered for reading only, but rights to produce by ama- 
 teurs may be given at any time after the American production. A very 
 powerful play upon a subject of universal interest. 
 Frice^ jo cents 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Philip Mackworth. 
 
 Sir Randle Filson, Knt. 
 
 Bertram Filson, his son. 
 
 Sir Timothy Barradell, Bart. 
 
 Robert Roope. 
 
 COLLINGHAM GrEEN. 
 
 Leonard Westrip, Sir Randle s secretary, 
 
 Alfred Dunning, of Sillitoe and Dunning s Private Detective 
 
 Agency. 
 NoYES, Mr. Roope' s servant. 
 Underwood, servant at Sir Randle* s, 
 John, Mr. Mackworth' s servant. 
 A Waiter. 
 
 OttOLINE DE CHAUMlfi, COMTESSE DE ChAUMI£, H^C FILSON. 
 
 Ladt Filson. 
 
 Hon. Mrs. Godfrey Anslow. 
 
 Mrs. Walter Quebec. 
 
 Miss Tracer, Lady Filson s secretary, 
 
 SYNOPSIS 
 
 Act I.— Robert Roope's flat in South Audley Street. June. 
 Act II. — Morning-room at Sir Randle Filson's, Ennismore 
 
 Gardens. The next day. 
 Act III. — Mackworth's Chambers, Gray's Inn. November, 
 Act IV. — The same place. The following morning. 
 
 THE NEW SCHOOL-MA'AM 
 
 A Sketch in One Act 
 By G. H. Mc Arthur 
 Two males, one female. Costumes, modern and " rube " ; scenery, an 
 interior, not important. Plays twenty minutes. Gladys de Haven, an 
 actress stranded in a small town, applies for the position of " school- 
 ma'am " to get money enough to reach New York. She easily prevails 
 over the susceptibihties of Silas Wetherbee and Hank Pettingill, the two 
 members of the « Committee," borrows ten dollars of each of them and 
 skips, leaving them considerably educated by her process. Lively and 
 ibnny. Price^ ij cents 
 
CAPTAIN CRANBERRY 
 
 A Cape Cod Drama in Three Acts 
 
 By Gladys Ruth Bridgham 
 Eight male, three female characters. Costumes, modern rustic ana 
 seafaring ; scenery, two easy interiors. Plays two hours. Cranford 
 Berry, affectionately known as « Captain Cranberry," has gained from the 
 griefs and hardships of a long life a beautiful philosophy and is the main- 
 stay of his neighbors. Learning that Ariel, who has long passed as the 
 daughter of Abner Freeman, a fellow mariner, is his own child, he will- 
 ingly foregoes the rights of a father to secure her greater happiness ; but 
 events make this great sacrifice unnecessary and all ends happily. Lee 
 Gordon's pursuit of material for his great detective story, " The Mystery 
 of the Seven Pipes," provides a wealth of comedy, and lots of excitement. 
 Free of royalty. Strongly recommended. 
 
 Fricet 2^ cents 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Cranford Berry (Cap'n Cranberry), keeper of the Bay Point 
 
 Light. 
 Abner Freeman, a retired whaler. 
 Obadiah Daniels, postmaster. 
 Lemuel Sawyer, constable. 
 Samuel Sawyer, his son. 
 Lee Gordon, an author. 
 Peter Pretzel Pomeroy, his accomplice* 
 Nat Williams. 
 
 Ariel Freeman, Abner s daughter. 
 Hepsy Sawyer, Lemuel s wife. 
 Cynthia Tinker. 
 
 SYNOPSIS 
 
 Act L — Living-room in Cynthia's home — Bay Point, Cape Cod. 
 Act II. — The same ; the next morning. 
 
 Act III. — Room in Abner Freeman's old fish house on the 
 •here ; late afternoon of the same day. 
 
 DOUBLE DUMMY 
 
 A Comedietta in One Act 
 By Ema S, Hunting 
 One male, one female character. Costumes, modern ; scene, an Inte- 
 rior. Plays twenty minutes. Merton Graves, of the Post, in an effort to 
 interview the celebrated Mme. Mordini encounters Kathrine Coleman, of 
 the Press, whom he takes for Mordini, while she takes him for Wainworth, 
 the painter, whom she is after on a similar errandc An amusing bit of 
 mistaken identity, very actable. 
 
 Price, 75" cents 
 
y^********- 
 
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 For One Night Only 
 
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 The Time of His Life 
 
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 i 
 
 BAKER, 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass* 
 
 f'iF^