ing up the right pillow, I found my precious stone;
being greatly rejoiced, together with my wife, who joined me in thanking
God for its return."[21]

"An exceeding comfortable and gracious providence: being preserved, I
doubt not, from the evil ones," said Bartholomew Hickman. "But I would
fain give you a sample of my skill, if so be that you will prepare the
crystal, charging it with due care and attention."

Then did the Doctor betake himself to the performance of sundry strange
rites, consisting of many absurd forms and hard speeches, ever and anon
ejaculating a fervent prayer for success, and a petition against doubt
and deception. He spread a fair carpet on the table, disposing the
candlesticks on each side, and a little behind the crystal. This was
placed upon a cushion of black silk, a crucifix near, and the psalter
before it, open at the service for the departed. After a profound
silence for about the space of half an hour, Dee looked towards his
visitor as if expecting that he should begin. The seer threw off his
upper garment, and kneeling down, clad only in a short tunic of gray
cloth, without ruff or belt, he betook himself, though with some
agitation, to the repeating of a few short Latin prayers, intermingled
with cabalistical jargon, and scraps of some unknown and uncouth tongue.
The Doctor gave special heed thereto, hearkening as though not
over-credulous in the boasted skill of his visitor. Presently the latter
put his face close to the stone, binding it before his eyes with a white
napkin, his head still resting on the table. Dee asked him softly, "What
seest thou?"

"Nothing," said Bartholomew.

"Is the curtain not yet visible in the stone?"

"I cannot even see the curtain," replied the seer; "for all is dark."

Then Dee began to pray earnestly that some of his former friends might
appear, whom he called by many outlandish names, such as _Ave, Nalvage,
Madini_, and others. Immediately Bartholomew cried out--

"I see a glimmer!--Soft!"

The Doctor scarcely durst breathe, fearing to interrupt the opening of
the vision.

"I see a golden curtain, partly drawn aside."

"The charge beginneth to work," said Dee. "'Tis the very appearance that
was always vouchsafed to Kelly ere the spirits showed themselves in the
glass. Note well what thou seest."

"There appeareth a white cloud, as a curdly vapour wreathing itself
about a pillar of burning brass, but no creature is visible.--I hear a
voice!"