| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: Another clever performer of those days was
Mexican Billy Wells, who worked on the Curio
platform. His act was the old stone-breaking
stunt, already explained, except that he had
the stones broken on his head instead of on
his body. He protected his head with a small
blanket, which he passed for examination, and
this protection seemed excusable, considering
that he had to do at least seven shows a day.
A strong man from the audience did the real
work of the act by swinging the heavy sledge-
 Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: surprise. "But," he added pessimistically, "I doubt the rogue's in
hell."
Richard's eyes kindled suddenly, and he quoted from the thirtieth Psalm,
"`I will extol thee, 0 Lord; for Thou hast lifted me up, and hast not
made my foes to rejoice over me.'"
Dumbfounded, wondering, indeed, was Westmacott's mind unhinged,
Trenchard scanned him narrowly. Richard caught the glance and
misinterpreted it for one of reproof. He bethought him that his joy was
unrighteous. He stifled it, and forced his lips to sigh "Poor Blake!"
"Poor, indeed!" quoth Trenchard, and adapted a remembered line of his
play-acting days to suit the case. "The tears live in an onion that
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