t his Russian strike
experiences, but oppressively reticent about certain dark mysteries,
which he alluded to under the resounding title of Siberian Magic. The
reticence wore off in a week or two under the influence of an entire lack
of general curiosity, and Leonard began to make more detailed allusions
to the enormous powers which this new esoteric force, to use his own
description of it, conferred on the initiated few who knew how to wield
it. His aunt, Cecilia Hoops, who loved sensation perhaps rather better
than she loved the truth, gave him as clamorous an advertisement as
anyone could wish for by retailing an account of how he had turned a
vegetable marrow into a wood pigeon before her very eyes. As a
manifestation of the possession of supernatural powers, the story was
discounted in some quarters by the respect accorded to Mrs. Hoops' powers
of imagination.

However divided opinion might be on the question of Leonard's status as a
wonderworker or a charlatan, he certainly arrived at Mary Hampton's house-
party with a reputation for pre-eminence in one or other of those
professions, and he was not disposed to shun such publicity as might fall
to his share. Esoteric forces and unusual powers figured largely in
whatever conversation he or his aunt had a share in, and his own
performances, past and potential, were the subject of mysterious hints
and dark avowals.

"I wish you would turn me into a wolf, Mr. Bilsiter," said his hostess at
luncheon the day after his arrival.

"My dear Mary," said Colonel Hampton, "I never knew you had a craving in
that direction."

"A she-wolf, of course," continued Mrs. Hampton; "it would be too
confusing to change one's sex as well as one's species at a moment's
notice."

"I don't think one should jest on these subjects," said Leonard.

"I'm not jesting, I'm quite serious, I assure you. Only don't do it to-
day; we have only eight available bridge players, and it would break up
one of our tables. To-morrow we shall be a larger party. To-morrow
night, after dinner--"

"In our present imperfect understanding of these hidden forces I think
one should approach them with humbleness rather than mockery," observed
Leonard, with such severity that the subject was forthwith dropped.

Clovis Sangrail had sat unusually silent during the discussion on the
possibilities of Siberian Magic; after lunch he side-tracked Lord Pabham
into the comparative seclusion of the billiard-room