Many believed that a supernatural marvellous power was in his words; only the girl did not believe in him at all.
In order to increase still further this terrified respect the adventurer beckoned towards him the old men of the assembly.
"Come hither, that ye may see for yourselves how well acquainted with the words of the oath are those in that other place where knowledge needs must be; stretch out your hands towards me, touch me with the tips of your fingers and ye will discover there is something else present here besides yourselves." Old Onucz tremblingly stretched out his hand in the direction of Fatia Negra and the next moment collapsed with fear when he perceived sparks crackle forth from his leader's garments which burnt his finger tips.
More than one elder was afraid at first to put out his hand till curiosity made him venture everything.

Several wanted to convince themselves personally of this miracle, which they could not credit from the hearsay of others and the juggler himself encouraged those standing near him to touch him wherever they chose and fire would spring from his body.

Sparks sometimes leaped forth from his neck and sometimes from the tips of his ears and everyone was persuaded that the curse had already made its way into every drop of his blood.
Anicza alone did not draw near him.
"Are you afraid of me, then ?" enquired the imposter.
"No." "Come and kiss me then!" Anicza approached and allowed herself to be kissed.
Immediately afterwards a shudder ran through her.
"Well?
What did you feel ?" "Your mouth burnt my mouth," replied the girl, and Fatia Negra happening to look aside just then, she furtively crossed herself.
Fatia Negra was completely satisfied with the success of this comedy.
Their awe of the mysterious and the unintelligible had made his comrades his slaves; he need have no more scruples concerning them.
"Give me your right hand, Anicza," said he, "and give your other hand to your next neighbour, and let everyone take the hand of the person next to him." Thus he made them form a long chain, the extreme end of which was brought up by old Onucz in whose hand he placed a slender conducting rod which hung down from the altar.

Then he recited the fantastic oath before them all once more, whilst they repeated every syllable of it after him.

The comedy was concluded by a violent electric shock which instantly sent a spasm of pain through the muscles and sinews of every member of the living chain.