Besides the cat, the sack contained a dozen or so bundles of faggots, well steeped in paraffin, several blocks of wood, a tripod, and a big tin saucepan.

With the wood, a fire was soon kindled in the centre of the circle; and the tripod placed over it.  Two pints of spring water were then poured into the saucepan, and to this were added 1 ounce of oxalic acid, 1 ounce of verdigris, 1-1/2 ounces of hemlock leaves, 1/2 ounce of henbane, 3/4 ounce of saffron, 2 ounces of aloes, 3 drachms of opium, 1 ounce of mandrake-root, 5 drachms of salanum, 7 drachms of poppy-seed, 1/2 ounce of assafoetida, and 1/2 ounce of parsley.  As soon as the saucepan containing these ingredients began to boil Hamar threw into it two adders’ heads, three toads and a centipede.

“Where on earth did you get all those horrors?” Curtis asked, shrinking away from the bag which had held them.

“Here,” Hamar said laconically.  “It’s extraordinary what a lot of nasty things there are amid so much apparent beauty.  I say apparent, because Nature is a champion faker.  You have only to rake about in these bushes and you’ll find snakes galore, whilst under pretty nearly every stone are centipedes.  Like both of you, who never by any chance poke your noses outside the city, I fancied snakes and centipedes were confined to the prairies.  But I know better now.  Besides, where do you think I found the toads?  Why, in the cellars under Meidlers’!”

“What, our late governor’s?” Kelson cried.

Hamar nodded.  “Yes!” he said; “under the very spot where we used to sit.  The water’s a foot deep in that cellar, and if there are as many toads in the cellars of the other houses in the block, then Sacramento Street has a corner in them.  I’m going to be executioner now, so look the other way, Matt!”

Kelson needed no second bidding; and sticking his fingers in his ears, walked to some little distance.  When Hamar called him back, the deed was accomplished—­the conditions prescribed in the rites had been observed—­the tabby was in the saucepan on the fire, and its blood had been besprinkled on each of the seven sectors of the circle.

“We must now take our seats on the ground,” Hamar said; “I’d better be in the centre—­you, Matt, on the right, and you, Ed, on the left—­allowing three clear feet between us.”

Hamar showed them how to sit—­with legs crossed and arms folded.

For some minutes no one spoke.  The wind rustled through the bushes and an owl hooted.  Kelson, feeling the night air cold, drew his overcoat tightly around and the others followed suit.  Then Curtis said—­

“Do you really think there’s anything in it, Leon?  Aren’t we fools to go on wasting our time like this?”

To which Hamar replied:  “Shut up!  You were frightened enough doing the tests!”

From afar off, away on the shimmering bosom of the bay came the faint hooting of a steamer.

“That’s the Oleander!” Kelson murmured.