get into some sort of
evidential communication with the late Mr Stainton Moses through his
"controls" _Imperator_, _Rector_, etc.

In vain I wrote to Dr Hodgson (to whom I carried letters of
introduction) telling him of my chief reason for visiting America a
second time. Even the plea that I had known Mr Stainton Moses in earth
life, and that we had several intimate friends in common, was of no
avail.

Dr Hodgson expressed regrets, but assured me that _no_ sittings could be
allowed under existing circumstances, and that it was impossible to make
any exception to this rule.

We seemed to have arrived at a _cul-de-sac_, when a bright idea struck
me.

Why not ask the UNSEEN themselves for a decision in the matter?

I wrote again, therefore, to Dr Hodgson, suggesting this idea, and
mentioning that I should arrive in Boston on a certain date, and could
be found at the Hotel Bellevue in that city.

The next day but one after my arrival, and quite early in the morning,
Dr Hodgson came to call upon me.

It was my first sight of that genial and delightful personality. At the
very moment of shaking hands, he said cheerily, and with a look of
half-rueful amusement at his own discomfiture:

"Well, you've got to come! They insist upon it, so there is nothing more
to be said."

My preconceived ideas of a critical, elderly, and white-haired
professor, taking himself very seriously, were dissipated on the spot;
and this was the beginning of a sincere and loyal friendship between us
which lasted for nine years on this sphere, and will last, I trust and
believe, through whatever forms of existence may succeed to this one.

We made arrangements at once for my joining Dr Hodgson next morning at
Arlington Heights, where my first sitting with Mrs Piper took place,
and where I met for the first time this refined and interesting-looking
woman.

I was told that with the advent of the Imperator and Stainton Moses'
controls, the character of Mrs Piper's mediumship had undergone a
complete change. The former communications through the voice ceased, and
gave place to automatic writing, except at the moment of return to the
physical body, when a chance sentence or two might be uttered during the
transition period, but that these were not always intelligible to the
listener.

Mrs Piper's arm and hand became curiously "dead" and limp when
unconsciousness set in; the blood departed, leaving it as white and
helpless as that of a corpse