STANDISH.  Most ridiculous thing—­

MASON.  As soon as she went into her trance, or whatever it was, Spencer
Lee’s spirit tried to talk to us.

DONOHUE.  She began to give you messages from Spencer Lee without knowing that this was what you were trying to get?

MASON (in triumph).  Exactly.  And there’s no use in trying to tell me that there’s nothing in spiritualism, because now I know better.

DONOHUE.  Thank you very much, Mr. Mason.  What you’ve told me is extremely important.  I’m anxious to know what was said, because I’m a good deal interested in the Spencer Lee case myself.

(MRS. TRENT turns and faces door, still sitting in her chair.)

MASON.  Then you think there’s something in this spiritualism.  I never did until to-day, but, by Jove, you know you can’t explain this any other way.

DONOHUE.  Madame la Grange went into a trance.  We’ll grant that much, anyway.  What happened then?

CROSBY.  After a few minutes she began talking to us in the voice of a little child.

ROSALIE.  That was Laughing Eyes, my spirit control.

DONOHUE.  Just what did Laughing Eyes say?

CROSBY.  It was all mixed up; none of it very clear.  But she seemed to be trying to talk for someone to someone.  She kept calling for Ned.  Then suddenly she spoke deeply, in a man’s voice.

DONOHUE.  Did the man’s message have any importance?  I mean, did it seem to make sense?

CROSBY.  It was perfectly coherent at any rate.  I can’t give you the exact words, but—­

MASON (interrupting).  I can.  He said, “Ned—­I want Ned.  Why in Hell don’t Ned answer me?”

DONOHUE (standing at lower end of table B.).  And did anyone answer?

CROSBY.  Eventually Wales replied.

DONOHUE.  I want you all to be extremely careful in what you tell me.  I don’t want any surmises.  In the first place, did the message come for anyone but Mr. Wales?

CROSBY.  There was at no time mention of Wales’ name.  The calls were always for “Ned.”

DONOHUE.  I see.  Did anyone else answer the calls?

STANDISH. I asked two or three questions, but no attention was paid to them.

DONOHUE.  What did Mr. Wales say to all this?

CROSBY.  I don’t think Mr. Wales spoke at all until the message about saving his life came.

DONOHUE.  And after that?

MISS EASTWOOD.  There was a regular conversation between them.

CROSBY.  Then there was some mention about some letters.  I remember, too, that Mr. Wales said, “Are you trying to tell me who killed you?”

DONOHUE.  What was the reply to that?

MRS. CROSBY.  All we got were the words, “Ask—­ask—­ask.”

CROSBY.  And then I said, “Do you know who killed you?”

DONOHUE.  Did you get an answer?