Paralyzed with fright and uncertain what to do in the presence of such a phenomenon, I remained for a time stupefied, trembling like a person poisoned with mercury, but after a while recovered myself and, thinking that it was a vain illusion, tried to divert my attention by reading the second word.

Hardly had I pronounced it when the box closed, the head disappeared, and in its place I again found the handful of ashes.

Without suspecting it I had discovered the two most potent words in nature, the words of creation and destruction, of life and of death!" He paused for a few moments to note the effect of his story, then with grave and measured steps approached the table and placed the mysterious box upon it.
"The cloth, Mister!" exclaimed the incorrigible Ben-Zayb.
"Why not ?" rejoined Mr.Leeds, very complaisantly.
Lifting the box with his right hand, he caught up the cloth with his left, completely exposing the table sustained by its three legs.

Again he placed the box upon the center and with great gravity turned to his audience.
"Here's what I want to see," said Ben-Zayb to his neighbor.

"You notice how he makes some excuse." Great attention was depicted on all countenances and silence reigned.