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Celie's hands, or assuredly I would have refused And I did not

wish to quarrel with Mlle Celie; so for once I consented, and,

having once consented, I could never afterwards refuse, for, if I

had, mademoiselle would haveen rapport, and meanwhile would have

had me sent away While if I had confessed the truth to ry that I had been a party to tricking

her that again I would have lost my place And so the seances went

on"

"Yes," said Hanaud "I understand that your position was very

difficult We shall not, I think," and he turned to the

Commissaire confidently for corroboration of his words, "be

disposed to blame you"

"Certainly not," said the Commissaire "After all, life is not so

easy"

"Thus, then, the seances began," said Hanaud, leaning forith

a keen interest "This is a strange and curious story you are

telling me, Mlle Vauquier Noere they conducted? How did

you assist? What did Mlle Celie do? Rap on the tables in the dark

and rattle tas upon the wall of the salon?"