States that he is quite willing to enter into negotiations with the Newcastle medium. Asks for more information about her. Confesses that he does not quite like what Myers told him about Mrs Fay, and says she told Gurney at Brighton that Sidgwick 'had behaved to her "like a perfect gentleman" or something of that sort.' Claims also that she is not as frank as she seems. States that he still has perfect faith in her, but that this now depends merely on personal impression, supported by Myers', and Gurney's and Crooke's. Feels that he must now drop her and Mrs Jencken out of his ' "Case for Spiritualism" '. Complains about their disagreeableness and 'their persistent and singular frustrations'. Announces that he intends to have some more séances with Herne in December, and will join with Myers in the negotiations with Newcastle, 'especially since the Never-failing Crookes is not to appear in the rôle of Triumphant Liberator till the end of January'. Send his regards to Myers' mother, and declares that he shall be very glad to go to Brandon House [Myers' house at Cheltenham] some time during the F[ ] Season.
Reports his arrival in Newcastle, and his meeting with Miss Fairlamb in Mr Blake's shop, and their subsequent meeting with Miss Wood - both mediums. States that he engaged them for séances. States that he likes them both 'from a severely scientific point of view', and finds that they know about Myers' letter, but 'were simply disinclined to go... to an unknown place at the instance of an unknown gentleman'. Suggests that he arranges for the two ladies to come for a fortnight, and asks whether he thinks it is worthwhile, adding 'not if [Myers] take[s] Mrs Fay to Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh]'. Refers to the problems relating to his unaccompanied visit to Newcastle; 'that a single individual does not afford a sufficient reservoir of [ ] [force] for materialisations...' Asks if Arthur gave Myers Sidgwick's message. Explains that he 'conjectured an alliance between Crookes and Greenwood', hoping that the latter would find funds for the spiritualistic endeavour and would have the social advantage, while the former would have the scientific advantage.
Trusts that Myers' impression of Mrs F[ay] is 'the true one', and undertakes to try to clear her behaviour of suspiciousness as far as possible, if 'R[ayleigh?]' asks his advice. Asks Myers if he would like 'R' 'in the other business' if he won't go in for Mrs Fay'. States that he has asked Butcher to sound Leaf. Asks who is the Newcastle party, and how Myers proposes to commence the negotiations. Asks when 'the Indescribable' [Mrs Fay's stage act was 'The Indescribable Phenonemon'] will appear again in public. Reports that there is a Professor [E.H.?] Palmer 'who says he can do all her tricks: and has promised [Sidgwick] that he will...' States that he wishes to go once more 'and see what they are.'
In relation to 'the guarantee', states that he will take his share, 'and could probably persuade Arthur Balfour if not Rayleigh. Thinks that Crookes and Well[ington?] 'are too poor.' Declares that he does not want to have to pay Paddock's damages for breach of contract. Does not believe that it will be considered that there were adequate grounds for the breach. Wishes that he thought otherwise 'for Eva [Fay?]'s sake' and theirs. Invites Myers to come on Saturday to talk it and other things over. Reports that he has sent off his last copy, but is 'still overwhelmed with labours.' Is condidering going to town at the end of the following week, and asks Myers if he shall be there.
Refers to '[t]he enclosed' [not included], which, he claims, will show Myers 'that the Plot thickens'. Reports that, on receipt of Myers' letter, he wrote at once to Mrs Fay, proposing the following Sunday, but offering 2 August as an alternative. Intends to go and see her on Thursday afternoon. Suggests that Myers should go up early on Thursday to advise him. Declares that he is not surprised that Myers wants to go to Hallsteads [home of Annie and Walter Marshall] at once. Claims that he does not care for Livingstone.
Regrets that he did not see him the previous day - owing to the Marshalls [Stephen and Annie?] not having come back - as he would have liked 'to talk over Mrs Fay etc.' Is considering calling on Crookes on Monday evening to tell him what has happened and to see what he says. Asks Myers for his opinion on the matter. Suggests that it may be better to wait until they can find out through Yorke or otherwise 'something more of the relations of R and N.' Announces that he shall be at 4 Carlton Gardens again on Monday. Offers to send back [ ] book.
Thanks Myers and asks him to send word as soon as he can; tells him that if he has not mentioned Sidgwick to 'Mrs S.' not to do so, and declares that he will renew his acquaintance with her on his own account. Announces that he shall perhaps not go to town on Monday, as Rayleigh wants him to go to [Terling]. States that the latter 'is rather inclined to go in for the Fay business', and undertakes to urge him as strongly as he can. Thinks that he ought to let him know what Myers told him [Sidgwick] 'about the Colonel's "record" '.
Announces that '[Walter?] Leaf is disposed to join' and that it only remains to fix a time. States that the period from 6 to 20 January suits him best. Declares that, on reflection, and for various reasons, he would like to cut off the possibility of his ever 'joining in the Fay business.' Feels disposed to leave Mrs Fay to Myers and Crookes, but adds that as a friend of Myers she will always claim his 'kind regards and service.' Announces that he wishes to undertake 'all the pecuniary liabilities as regards the Newcastle medium [Mrs Petty?] - except what Leaf contributes'. Urges Myers to concentrate his resources on Mrs Fay, whom he would rather keep as far as possible from communication with other professional mediums. Asks Myers whether he shall be in town on the following Sunday. Announces that he shall be at the Midland Hotel, 'having séances and arranging for the week after - but only for one night.'
Reports that Mrs Fay won't even come to Carlton Gardens; that Paddock 'insists that she is now an "Entertainer" and must not appear as a medium.' Describes this 'duplicity' as 'degrading and humiliating', and reports that he told the Colonel his opinion, 'which he received...with Tradesmanlike Dignity.' Announces that [Basil] Champneys is to come up to Cambridge on Thursday until Saturday. Asks Myers to tell his bedmaker to get a room for him. States that Mrs Jen[ ] 'is shilly-shallying', and may get him into difficulties about his visits. Asks if he may, without being rude, move his visit to him [Myers] about between 15 August and 8 September.