The Link Read Online Free PDF Page B

convictions, fearlessly perform the work and fulfill the mission for which you have been raised up by an overruling Providence.”
    Moments later, Nettie Colburn blinks, regaining consciousness. She finds herself, still standing, in front of Lincoln as he sits back in his chair, eying her intently. She starts and blushes, stepping back, confused, glancing at the silent group.
    Lincoln stands, towering over her; she cringes slightly. Taking her tiny hands in his, he says, “My child, you possess a very singular gift. I thank you for coming here tonight. It is more important than perhaps anyone present can understand.”
    Flustered, she is being thanked by Mrs. Lincoln as the President is drawn aside by Secretary Newton.
    “Mr. President,” he murmurs, “would it be improper for me to inquire whether there has been any pressure brought to bear upon you to defer the enforcement of the proclamation?”
    Lincoln’s smile is grave. “It is taking all my nerve and strength to withstand such a pressure,” he says.
    They are standing by a full-length portrait on the wall. “Did you notice, Mr. President,” asks Newton, “anything peculiar in the method of address when Miss Colburn was addressing you in trance?”
    Lincoln nods. “Yes, and it is very singular,” he says, staring at the portrait. CAMERA PANS TO the nameplate.
    It reads:
Daniel Webster:
1782-1852.
    “On January 1, 1863 President Lincoln formally issued The Emancipation Proclamation,” Robert says.
    We see the words on the processor screen, DRAW BACK TO Robert. “There are those who claim,” he continues, “that its issue was inspired from—”
    He breaks off as he hears Bart barking outside, the sound of an approaching car. He rises to look out the window, reacting in surprise as the car is stopped and Cathy Graves steps out.
    He goes outside to greet her, introduces her to Bart; an immediate rapport, Bart is a lover. As the dog writhes with pleasure under her stroking hands, she tells Robert that she is on her way to see Peter Clarke at his college; he is a guest lecturer there during his stay in the country. Would Robert care to come along and meet him?
    Robert smiles. “Sounds nice,” he says. “Can Bart come too, for the ride? He’s very well behaved.”
    She laughs. “Of course.”
    He gets a jacket, shuts his house and they start off.
    En route, he learns that Harry has returned to England, that she is going back at the end of the year, (it is mid-September) Peter next June; they came over separately. They are members of a psi investigation group in London here on an exchange program. With their assistance, ESPA is working on a study of distance perception, essentially a modern version of clairvoyance. She and Peter hope he’ll come in and observe.
    He nods. “I’d like that.”
    As Bart sits in the back of the car, looking out contentedly, Cathy tells Robert of her “dreams” in psi investigation: an in-depth study of telekinesis in so-called “magnetic healing”; an investigation of psychic crime detection (“that would be so fascinating,” she declares); the establishment of a world-wide Premonitions Registry to keep track of precognition with statistical thoroughness.
    “And, of course, my dream of dreams,” she says. “An extended tour of Russia to observe their work in parapsychology.”
    She smiles. “So what have you been up to?”
    “Nettie Colburn,” he replies.
    Prime example of telepathy, she says; of interest because she practiced it on Abraham Lincoln.
    “No spirits then,” he says, repressing a smile. She gives him a look. “And D.D. Home?” he says, already knowing what she’ll say. “A prime example of telekinesis,” she says. “And the burning coals?” he says. “Similar to fire walking,” she responds.
    “Ah-ha.”
    “You don’t agree?” she asks.
    “No opinion.”
    “Oh?” She nods, about to pursue his lack of commitment, then dropping it.
    She brakes at an intersection as the light turns