Research source

I felt Antony give a little start as he read the message. Without a pause the Spook went on

Date of account: Published 1920
Source: The Road to En-Dor Being an Account of How Two Prisoners of War at Yozgad in Turkey Won Their Way to Freedom
Reference: The Road to En-Dor Being an Account of How Two Prisoners of War at Yozgad in Turkey Won Their Way to Freedom · selected passage 42
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-24

Record summary

In building up the reputation of our spooks there was one type of séance we did not encourage

Published source text

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Source passage

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In building up the reputation of our spooks there was one type of séance we did not encourage. We threw aside the strongest weapon in the medium’s armoury. The emotional fog which blinds the critical faculty of the sitter is most valuable to the medium, and is quite easy to create. A “Darling Boy” from a dead Mother, or a “My son” from a dead Father does it. But there were limits to which we could not go. We created our fog, and built up our Spook’s reputation without the introduction of what are called “harrowing spiritual experiences.” Our spooks were all impersonal to the audience (Sally, Silas P. Warner, Beth, George, Millicent, and so on); nobody’s dear dead was allowed to appear on the scene. Louise was no exception; she was still alive, and “on this side.” The rule was only once broken, so far as I am aware, and then only partially so. Under extreme pressure a private séance was granted to a most persistent sitter. He wanted his father to speak to him. One of our usual spooks appeared. But we never reached the stage of direct communication. The emotional strain on all concerned was so obvious that I cut short the séance. Nor was it ever repeated.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

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