第1章
Happyinthehopethatthenewswas"exclusive"，theDespatchhadthrownthenameofStephenHallowell，hisportrait，apictureofhishouse，andthewords，"AtPointofDeath!"acrossthreecolumns。Theannouncementwasheavy，lachrymose，bristlingwiththemelancholyself-importanceofthemanwho"sawthedeceased，justtwominutesbeforethetrainhithim。"
Buttheeffectofthenewsfellshortoftheeffort。Savethatcityeditorswereirritatedthatthepresidentsofcertainrailroadsfiguredhastilyonslipsofpaper，thefactthatanoldmanandhismillionswouldsoonbeparted，leftNewYorkundisturbed。
Intheearly80"sthiswouldnothavebeenso。Then，intheupliftingofthefarWest，StephenHallowellwasanationalfigure，inthemanoeuvresoftheEasternstockmarketanactive，alertpower。Inthosedays，whenamanwithafewmillionswasstilllistedasrich，hisfortunewasconsideredcolossal。
Apatentcoupling-pin，theinventionofhisbrother-in-law，hadgivenhimhisstart，and，inintroducingit，andinhiseffortstoforceituponthenewrailroadsoftheWest，hehadobtainedaknowledgeoftheiraffairs。Fromthatknowledgecamehiswealth。Thatwastwentyyearsago。Sincethengiantshadarisenintheland；menwhosewealthmadethefortuneofStephenHallowellappearacomfortablecompetence，hisschemesandstratagems，which，intheirday，hadbewilderedWallStreet，assimpleasthetradingacrossthecounterofacross-roadsstore。
Foryearshehadbeenoutofit。Hehadlostcount。Disuseandillhealthhadrenderedhismindfeeble，madehimattimessuspicious，attimeschildishlycredulous。Withoutfriends，alongwithhisphysicianandthebutler，whowasalsohisnurse，helivedinthehousethatin76，inaburstofvanity，hehadbuiltonFifthAvenue。Thenthehousewasa"mansion，"anditsfrontofbrownsandstonetheoutwardsignofwealthandfashion。
Now，ononeside，itrubbedshoulderswiththeshopofamanmilliner，andacrossthestreetthehouseshadbeentorndownandreplacedbyadepartmentstore。Now，insteadofasombrejail-likefacade，hisoutlookwasarowofwaxenladies，who，beforeeachchangeofseason，appearedinnewandgorgeousraiment，and，acrosstheavenue，forhisapproval，smiledcontinually。
"Itistimeyoumoved，Stephen，"urgedhisfriendandlawyer，JudgeHenryGaylor。"Icangetyoutwiceasmuchforthislotasyoupaidforbothitandthehouse。"
ButMr。Hallowellalwaysshookhishead。"WherewouldIgo，Henry？"hewouldask。"WhatwouldIdowiththemoney？No，I
willliveinthishouseuntilIamcarriedoutofit。"
Withdistaste，theirritatedcityeditors"followedup"thethree-columnstoryoftheDespatch。
"Findoutifthere"sanytruthinthat，"theycommanded。"Theoldmanwon"tseeyou，butgetatalkoutofRainey。AndseeJudgeGaylor。He"sclosetoHallowell。Findoutfromhimifthatstorydidn"tstartasabearyarninWallStreet。"
So，whenWalshoftheDespatchwasconductedbyGarrett，thebutlerofMr。Hallowell，upstairstothatgentlemen"slibrary，hefoundagroupofreportersalreadyentrenched。Atthedoorthatopenedfromthelibrarytothebedroom，thebutlerpaused。
"WhatpapershallIsay？"heasked。
"TheDespatch，"Walshtoldhim。
TheservantturnedquicklyandstaredatWalsh。
Heappearedthetypicalbutler，anEnglishmanofoverforty，heavilybuilt，soft-moving，withruddy，smooth-shavencheeksandprematurelygrayhair。Butnowfromhisfacethelookofperfunctorypolitenesshadfallen；thesubduedvoicehadchangedtoasnarlthatcarriedwithittheaccentsoftheTenderloin。
"So，you"retheone，areyou？"themanmuttered。
Foramomenthestoodscowling；insolent，almostthreatening，andthen，oncemore，theservantopenedthedoorandnoiselesslycloseditbehindhim。
Thetransitionhadbeensoabrupt，therevelationsounexpected，thatthemenlaughed。
"Idon"tblamehim!"saidyoungIrving。"Icouldn"tfindasinglefactinthewholestory。How"dyourpeoplegetit——
prettystraight？"
"Seemedstraighttous，"saidWalsh。
"Well，youdidn"thandleitthatway，"returnedtheother。"Whydidn"tyouquoteRaineyorGaylor？Itseemstomeifaman"sonthepointofdeath"——heloweredhisvoiceandglancedtowardthecloseddoor——"thathisprivatedoctorandhislawyermightknowsomethingaboutit。"
Standingalonewithhisbacktothewindowwasareporterwhohadgreetednooneandtowhomnoonehadspoken。
Hadheheldhimselferecthewouldhavebeentall，buthestoodslouchinglazily，hisshouldersbent，hishandsinhispockets。
Whenhespokehisvoicewasinkeepingwiththeindolenceofhisbearing。Itwassoft，hesitating，carryingwithitthecourteousdeferenceoftheSouth。Onlyhiseyesshowedthattowhatwasgoingforwardhewasalertandattentive。
"IsDr。RaineyMr。Hallowell"sfamilydoctor？"heasked。
Irvingsurveyedhiminamusedsuperiority。
"Heis!"heanswered。YoubeenlonginNewYork？"heasked。
Uponthestrangerthesarcasmwaslost，orhechosetoignoreit，forheansweredsimply，"No，I"maNewOrleansboy。I"vejustbeentakenontheRepublic。"
"Welcometoourcity，"saidIrving。"WhatdoyouthinkofourMainStreet？"
Fromthehallatallportlymanenteredtheroomwiththeassuranceofonemuchathomehereand，withanexclamation，Irvingfelluponhim。
"Goodmorning，Judge，"hecalled。HewavedathimtheclippingfromtheDespatch。"Haveyouseenthis？"
JudgeGayloracceptedtheslipofpapergingerly，andinturnmovedhisfineheadpompouslytowardeachoftheyoungmen。Mostofthemwereknowntohim，butforthemomenthepreferredtoappeartoodeeplyconcernedtogreetthem。Withanexpressionofshockedindignation，herecognizedonlyWalsh。
"Yes，Ihaveseenit，"hesaid，"andthereisnotawordoftruthinit!Mr。Walsh，Iamsurprised!You，ofallpeople!"
"Wegotitonverygoodauthority，"saidthereporter。
"Butwhynotcallmeupandgetthefacts？"demandedtheJudge。
"Iwashereuntiltwelveo"clock，and——"
"Here!"interruptedIrving。"Thenhedidhaveacollapse？"
JudgeGaylorswunguponhisheel。
"Certainlynot，"heretortedangrily。"Iwashereonbusiness，andIhaveneverknownhismindmorecapable，morealert。"Heliftedhishandswithanenthusiasticgesture。"Iwishyoucouldhaveseenhim!"
"Well，"urgedIrving，"howaboutourseeinghimnow？"
ForamomentJudgeGaylorpermittedhisannoyancetoappear，butheatoncerecoveredand，murmuringcheerfully，"Certainly，certainly；I"lltrytoarrangeit，"turnedtothebutlerwhohadre-enteredtheroom。
"Garett，"heinquired，"isMr。Hallowellawakeyet？"Asheaskedthequestionhiseyebrowsrose；withanalmostimperceptibleshakeoftheheadhesignaledforananswerinthenegative。
"Well，thereyouare!"theJudgeexclaimedheartily。"Ican"twakehim，eventoobligeyou。Inaword，gentlemen，StephenHallowellhasneverbeeninbetterhealth，mentallyandbodily。
Youcansaythatfromme——andthat"sallthereistosay。"
"Then，wecansay，"persistedIrving，"thatyousay，thatWalsh"sstoryisafake？"
"Youcansayitisnottrue，"correctedGaylor。"That"sall，gentlemen。"Theaudiencewasatanend。TheyoungmenmovedtowardthehallandJudgeGaylorturnedtothebedroom。Ashedidso，hefoundthatthenewmanontheRepublicstillheldhisground。
"CouldIhaveawordwithyou，sir？"thestrangerasked。Thereportershaltedjealously。AgainGaylorshowedhisimpatience。
"AboutMr。Hallowell"shealth？"hedemanded。"There"snothingmoretosay。"
"No，it"snotabouthishealth，"venturedthereporter。
"Well，notnow。Iamverylatethismorning。"TheJudgeagainmovedtothebedroomandthereporter，asthoughacceptingtheverdict，startedtofollowtheothers。Ashedidso，asthoughinexplanationorasawarningheadded:"Yousaidtoalwayscometoyouforthefacts。"Thelawyerhalted，hesitated。"Whatfactsdoyouwant？"heasked。Thereporterbowed，andwavedhisbroadfelthattowardthelisteningmen。Inpoliteembarrassmentheexplainedwhathehadtosaycouldnotbespokenintheirpresence。
SomethinginthemannerofthestrangerledJudgeGaylortopause。HedirectedGarretttoaccompanythereportersfromtheroom。Then，withmockpoliteness，heturnedtotheonewhoremained。"Itakeit，youareanewcomerinNewYorkjournalism。Whatisyourname？"heasked。
"MynameisHomerLee，"saidtheSoutherner。"IamaNewOrleansboy。I"vebeenonlyamonthinyourcity。Judge，"hebeganearnestly，butinavoicewhichstillheldthedrawloftheSouth，"ImetamanfromhomelastweekonBroadway。HebelongedtothatspiritualisticschoolonCarondeletStreet。Heknowsallthat"sgoingoninthespookworld，andhetellsmetheghostraisershavegottheirhooksintotheoldmanprettydeep。Isthatso？"
ThebewildermentofJudgeGaylorwascompleteand，withoutquestion，genuine。
"Idon"tknowwhatyoumean，"hesaid。
"Myinformanttellsme，"continuedthereporter，"thatMr。
Hallowellhasembraced——ifthat"swhatyoucallit——
spiritualism。"
Gaylorstartedforward。
"What!"heroared。
Unmoved，theotherregardedtheJudgekeenly。
"Spiritualism，"herepeated，"andthatabunchofthesemediumshavegothimsohypnotizedhecan"tcallhissoulhisown，orhismoney，either。Isthattrue？"
JudgeGaylor"soutburstwasoverwhelming。ThatitwasgenuineMr。Lee，observinghimclosely，wasconvinced。
"Ofalltheoutrageous，ridiculous"——thejudgehalted，gaspingforwords——"andlibelousstatements!"hewenton。"Ifyouprintthat，"hethundered，"Mr。Hallowellwillsueyourpaperforhalfamilliondollars。Can"tyouseethedamageyouwoulddo？Can"tyourpeopleseethatiftheideagotaboutthathewasunabletodirecthisownaffairs，thathewasinthehandsofmediums，itwouldinvalidateeverythinghedoes？Afterhisdeath，everyactofhisatthistime，everypaperhehadsigned，wouldbesuspected，and——and"——stammeredtheJudgeashisimaginationpicturedwhatmightfollow——"theymightevenattackhiswill!"Headvancedtruculently。"Doyoumeantopublishthislibel？"
Leemovedhisshouldersindeprecation。"I"mafraidwemust，"hesaid。
"Youmust!"demandedGaylor。"AfterwhatI"vetoldyou？DoyouthinkI"mlyingtoyou？"
"No，"saidthereporter；"Idon"tthinkyouare。Looksmorelikeyoudidn"tknow。"
"Notknow？I？"Gaylorlaughedhysterically。"Iamhislawyer。I
amhisbestfriend!Whowillyoubelieve？"Hesteppedtothetableandpressedanelectricbutton，andGarrettappearedinthehall。"TellDr。RaineyIwanttoseehim，"Gaylorcommanded，"andreturnwithhim。"
Astheywaited，JudgeGaylorpacedquicklytoandfro。"I"vehadtodenysomeprettysillystoriesaboutMr。Hallowell，"hesaid，"butofalltheabsurd，malicious——There"ssomeenemybackofthis；someoneinWallStreetisdoingthis。ButI"llfindhim——I"ll——"hewasinterruptedbytheentranceofthebutlerandDr。Rainey，Mr。Hallowell"spersonalphysician。
Raineywasayoungmanwithaweakface，andknowing，shiftingeyesthatblinkedbehindapairofeyeglasses。Toconcealanindecisionofcharacterofwhichhewasquiteconscious，heassumedamannerthat，accordingtowhomheaddressed，wasfamiliarorcondescending。Atoneofthebighospitalshehadbeenanambulancesurgeonandresidentphysician，laterhehadstarteduponasomewhatdoubtfulcareerasamedical"expert。"
OnlytwoyearshadpassedsincethepoliceandthereportersoftheTenderloinhadceasedcallinghim"Doc。"InacelebratedcriminalcaseinwhichGaylorhadactedaschiefcounsel，hehadfoundRaineycomplaisantandapparentlytotallywithoutthemoralsense。AndwheninGarretthehaddiscoveredforMr。
Hallowellamodelservant，hehadalsourgeduponhisfriend，forhisresidentphysician，hisprotegeRainey。
Stillatwhiteheat，theoldermanbeganabruptly:"ThisgentlemanisfromtheRepublic。HeisgoingtopublishastorythatMr。Hallowellhasfallenundertheinfluenceofmediums，clairvoyants；thateverythinghedoesisonadvicefromthespiritworld——"heturnedsharplyuponLee。"Isthatright？"
Thereporternodded。
"Youcanseetheeffectofsuchastory。ItwouldinvalidateeveryactofMr。Hallowell"s!"
Dr。Raineylaughedoffensively。
"Itmight，"hesaid，"butwho"dbelieveit？"
"Hebelievesit!"criedGaylor，"orhepretendstobelieveit。
Tellhim!"hecommanded。"Hewon"tbelieveme。DoesMr。
Hallowellassociatewithmediums，andspirits——andspooks？"
Againtheyoungdoctorlaughed。
"Ofcoursenot!"heexclaimed。"It"snotworthanswering，Judge。
Yououghttotreatitwithsilentcontempt。"Frombehindhisglasseshewinkedatthereporterwithajocular，intimatesmile。Hewasadaptinghimselftowhatheimaginedwashiscompany。"Wheredidyoupickupthatpipedream？"heasked。
Withoutanswering，theSouthernerregardedhimsteadilywithinquiring，interestedeyes。ThedoctorcoughednervouslyandturnedtoJudgeGaylor。Inthemannerofacross-examinationGaylorcalleduphisnextwitness。
"Garrett，doesanyonevisitMr。Hallowellwithoutyourknowledge？"heasked。Youmaynotopenthedoorforhim，butyouknoweveryonewhogetsintoseeMr。Hallowell，doyounot？"
"Everyone，sir。"
"Doyouadmitanymediums，palm-readers，orpeopleofthatsort？"
"Certainlynot，"returnedthebutler。
"Dr。Rainey，"headded，"wouldnotpermitit，sir。"
Gaylorstampedhisfootwithimpatience。
"Doyouadmitanyone，"hedemanded，"withoutDr。Rainey"spermission？"
"No，sir!"Thereplycouldnothaverungwithgreateremphasis。
Triumphantly，Gaylor，withawaveofthehand，asthoughsaying，"Takethewitness，"turnedtoLee。"Thereyouare，"hecried。
"Now，areyousatisfied？"
Thereportermovedslowlytowardthedoor。"Iamsatisfied，"hesaid，"thatthemandoesn"tadmitanyonewithoutDr。Rainey"spermission。"
Indignantly，asthoughtointercepthim，JudgeGaylorsteppedforward。BothRaineyandhimselfspoketogether。
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"Raineydemanded。
"Areyoutryingtobeinsolent，sir？"criedtheJudge。
Leesmiledpleasantly。"Ihadnointentionofbeinginsolent，"
hesaid。"Wehavethefacts——Ionlycametogiveyouachancetoexplainthem。"
Gaylorlostallpatience。
"Whatfacts？"heshouted。"Whatfacts？Thatmediumscomehere？"
"Yes，"saidLee。
"When？"Gaylorcried。"Tellmethat!When？"
Leeregardedtheoldermanthoughtfully。
"Well，todayisThursday，"hesaid。"TheywerehereMondaymorning，andTuesdaymorning——and——theonetheycallVera——
willbehereinhalfanhour。"
Raineyranacrosstheroom，stretchingouteager，detaininghands。
"Seehere!"hebegged。"Wecanfixthis!"
"Fixit？"saidthereporter。"Notwithme，youcan"t。"HeturnedtothedoorandfoundGarrettbarringhisexit。Hehalted，fellbackonhisheels，andstraightenedhisshoulders。Forthefirsttimetheysawhowtallhewas。
"Getoutofmyway，"hesaid。Thebutlerhesitatedandfellback。Leewalkedintothehall。
"I"llleaveyougentlementofightitoutamongyou，"hesaid。
"It"sabetterstorythanIthought。"
Ashedescendedtothefloorbelow，themenremainedmotionless。
ThefaceofJudgeGaylorseemedtohavegrownolder。Whenthefrontdoorclosed，heturnedandsearchedthecountenanceofeachofhiscompanions。Thebutlerhaddroppedintoachairmutteringandbeatinghisfistintohisopenpalm。
Gaylor"svoicewashardlylouderthanawhisper。"Isthistrue？"
heasked。
Likeacurdogpinnedinacornerandforcedtofight，Raineysnarledathimevilly。"Ofcourseit"strue，"hesaid。
"You"veletthesepeopleseehim!"criedGaylor。"AfterI
forbadeit？AfterItoldyouwhatwouldhappen？"
"Hewouldseethem，"Raineyansweredhotly。"TwasbetterI
chosethemthan——"
Gaylorraisedhisclenchedhandsandtookasuddenstepforward。
TheDoctorbackedhastilyagainstthelibrarytable。"Don"tyoucomenearme!"hestammered。"Don"tyoutouchme。"
"Andyou"veliedtome!"criedGaylor。"You"vedeceivedme。You——youjailbirds——youidiots。"Hisvoicerosehysterically。
"Anddoyouthink，"hedemandedfiercely，"I"llhelpyounow？"
"No!"saidthebutler。
ThewordcaughttheJudgeinthefullrushofhisanger。Heturnedstupidlyasthoughhehadnotheardaright。"What？"heasked。Fromtheeasychairthebutlerregardedhimwithsullen，hostileeyes。
"No!"herepeated。"Wedon"tthinkyou"llhelpus。Younevermeanttohelpus。You"veneverthoughtofanyonebutyourself。"
Thefaceoftheoldermanwasfilledwithreproach。
"Jim!"heprotested。
"Don"tdothat!"commandedthebutlersharply。"I"vetoldyounottodothat。"
TheJudgemovedhisheadslowlyinamazement。Thetoneofreproachwasstillinhisvoice。
"Ithoughtyoucouldunderstand，"hesaid。"Itdoesn"tmatterabouthim。Butyou!YoushouldhaveseenwhatIwasdoing!"
"Isawwhatyouweredoing，"thebutlerreplied。"Buyingstocks，buyingacountryplace。Youdidn"twaitforhimtodie。Whatwerewegetting？"
Withreturningcourage，Raineynoddedvigorously。
"That"sright，allright，"heprotested。"Whatwerewegetting？"
"Whatwereyougetting？"demandedGaylor，eagerly。"Ifyou"donlylefthimtome，tillhesignedthenewwill，you"dhavehadeverything。Itonlyneedshissignature。"
"Yes，"interruptedGarrettcontemptuously；that"sallitneeds。"
"Oh，he"dhavesignedit!"criedGaylor。"Butwhat"sitworthnow!Nothing!Thankstoyoutwo——nothing!They"llclaimundueinfluence，they"llclaimhesigneditundertheinfluenceofmediums——ofghosts。"Hisvoiceshookwithangeranddistress。
"You"veruinedme!"hecried。"You"veruinedme。"
Heturnedandpacedfromthem，hisfingersinterlacing，histeethbitinguponhislowerlip。Thetwoothermenglancedateachotheruncomfortably；theirsilenceseemedtoassureGaylorthatalreadytheyregrettedwhattheyhaddone。HestoodoverGarrett，andforaninstantlaidhishanduponhisshoulder。Hisvoicenowwassaneandcold。
"I"veworkedthreeyearsforthis，"hesaid。"Andforyou，too，Jim。Youknowthat。I"veworkedonhisvanity，onhisfearofdeath，onhisdamnsuperstition。Whenhetalkedofrestitution，ofgivingthemoneytohisniece，IaskedWhy？"Isaid，Leaveitforagreatmonumenttoyourmemory。Isn"titbetterthattenmilliondollarsshouldbespentingoodworksinyournamethanthatitshouldgotoachitofachildtobewastedbysomefortunehunter？And——then——IevolvedtheHallowellInstitute，university，hospital，library，allunderoneroof，allunderonedirection；andIwouldhavebeenthedirector。Weshouldhavehandledtenmillionsofdollars!I"dhavemadeyoubothsorich，"hecriedsavagely，"thatintwoyearsyou"dhavedrunkyourselvesintoamad-house。Andyoucouldn"ttrustme!
You"vefilledthishousewithfakesandpalm-readers。And，now，everyonewillknowjustwhatheis——asenile，half-wittedoldmanwhowasclayinmyhands，clayinmyhands——andyou"verobbedmeofhim，you"verobbedmeofhim!"Hisvoice，brokenwithangeranddisappointment，roseinanhystericalwail。Asthoughtomeetitabellrangshrilly。Gaylorstartedandstoodwitheyesfixedonthedoorofthebedroom。Thethreemeneyedeachotherguiltily。
Thebutlerwasthefirsttorecover。Withmask-likefacehehastenednoiselesslyacrosstheroom。Inhistonesofusualauthority，Gaylorstoppedhim。
"TellMr。Hallowell，"hedirected，"thathisnieceandDistrictAttorneyWinthropwillbehereanymoment。Askhimifhewishesmetoseethem，orifhewilltalktothemhimself？"
WhenthefaithfulservanthadenteredthebedroomGaylorturnedtoRainey。
"Whendothesemediumscometoday？"heasked。
Raineystaredsulkilyatthefloor。
"Ithinkthey"reherenow——downstairs，"heanswered。Garrettgenerallyhidesthemtheretillyou"reoutofthehouse。"
"Indeed，"commentedGaylordryly。"AfterWinthropandMissCoateshavegone，Iwanttotalkwithyourfriends。"
"Now，seehere，Judge，"whinedRainey；"don"tmaketrouble。Itisn"tasbadasyouthink。Theoldman"sonlyinvestigating——"
"Hush!"commandedtheJudge。
Fromthebedroom，leaningonthebutler"sarm，StephenHallowellcamestumblingtowardthemand，withasigh，sankintoaninvalid"schairthatwasplacedforhimbetweenthefireandthelonglibrarytable……Hewasaveryfeeble，veryoldman，withawhiteface，andthin，whitehair，butwithamouthandlowerjawashardanduncompromisingasthoseofaskull。Hiseyes，whichwerestrangelybrilliantandyoung-looking，peeredsuspiciouslyfromunderraggedwhiteeyebrows。Butwhentheyfelluponthedoctor，theeyesbecamesuddenlycredulous，pleading，filledwithself-pity。
"I"maverysickman，Doctor，"saidMr。Hallowell。
JudgeGaylorbustledforwardcheerily。"Nonsense，Stephen，nonsense，"hecried；"youlookadifferentmanthismorning。
Doesn"the，Doctor？"
"Surehedoes!"assentedRainey。"Littlesleepwasallheneeded。"Mr。Hallowellshookhisheadpetulantly。"Notatall!"
heprotested。"Thatwasaveryseriousattack。Thismorningmyheadhurts——hurtsmetothink——"
"Perhaps，"saidGaylor，"you"dpreferthatItalkedtoyourniece。"
"No!"exclaimedtheinvalidexcitedly。"Iwanttoseehermyself。Iwanttotellher，onceandforall——"HecheckedhimselfandfrownedattheDoctor。"Youneedn"twait，"hesaid。
"AndDoctor，"headdedmeaningly，"afterthesepeoplego，youcomeback。"
WithaconsciousglanceattheJudge，Raineynoddedandleftthem。
"No，"continuedtheoldman；"Iwanttotalktomyniecemyself。
ButIdon"twanttotalktoWinthrop。He"stoocleverayoungman，Winthrop。Inthemergercase，youremember——hadmeonthestandforthreehours。Mademetalktoo。"Themindoftheoldmansuddenlyveeredatatangent。"HowthedevilcanHelenretainhim？"hedemandedpeevishly。"Shecan"tretainhim。Shehasn"tanymoney。Andhe"sDistrictAttorneytoo。It"sagainstthelaw。Ishedoingitasaspeculation？Doeshewanttomarryher？"
JudgeGaylorlaughedsoothingly。
"Heavens，no!"hesaid。"She"sinhisoffice，that"sall。Whenshetookthiscrazetobeindependentofyou，hegaveherapositionassecretary，orasstenographer，orsomething。She"sprobablytoldhimherstory，hersideofit，andhe"shelpingheroutofcharity。:"TheJudgesmiledtolerantly。"Hedoesthatsortofthing，Ibelieve。"
Theoldmanstruckthelibrarytablewithhispalm。"Iwishhe"dmindhisownbusiness，"hecried。"It"smymoney。Shehasnoclaimtoit，neverhadanyclaim——"
TheJudgeinterruptedquickly。
"That"sallright，Stephen；that"sallright，"hesaid。"Don"texciteyourself。Justgetwhatyou"retosaystraightinyourmindandsticktoit。Remember，"hewenton，asthoughcoachingachildinataskalreadylearned，"thereneverwasawrittenagreement。
"No!"mutteredHallowell。"Neverwas!"
"Repeatthistoyourself，"commandedtheJudge。"Theunderstandingbetweenyouandyourbrother-in-lawwasthatifyouplacedhispatentonthemarket，forthefirstfiveyearsyouwouldsharetheprofitsequally。Afterthefiveyears，allrightsinthepatentbecameyours。Itwasunfortunate，"
commentedtheJudgedryly，"thatyourbrother-in-lawandyoursisterdiedbeforethefiveyearswereup，especiallyasthepatentdidnotbegintomakemoneyuntilafterfiveyears。
Remember——untilafterfiveyears。"
"Untilafterfiveyears，"echoedMr。Hallowell。"Itwasoversixyears，"hewentonexcitedly，"beforeitmadeacent。And，then，itwasmymoney——andanythingIgivemynieceischarity。
She"snotentitled——"
Garrettappearedatthedoor。"MissCoates，"heannounced，"andMr。Winthrop。"JudgeGaylorraisedahandforsilence，andasMr。Hallowellsankbackinhischair，HelenCoates，theonlychildofCatherineCoates，hissister，andtheyoungDistrictAttorneyofNewYorkcameintothelibrary。MissCoateswasawomanofbetweentwenty-fiveandthirty，capable，andself-
reliant。Shehadacertainbeautyofaseveretype，butanharassedexpressionabouthereyesmadeherappeartobealwaysfrowning。Attimes，inahardeningofthelowerpartofherface，sheshowedalikenesstoheruncle。Likehim，inspeaking，also，hermannerwaspositiveanddecided。
Inagetheyoungmanwhoaccompaniedherwastenyearshersenior，butwhereherdifficultieshadmadeherappearolderthanshereallywas，theenthusiasmwithwhichhehadthrownhimselfagainstthoseofhisownlife，hadlefthimyoung。
TheriseofWinthrophadbeenswiftandspectacular。Almostassoonashegraduatedfromthecollegeinthelittle"up-state"
townwherehehadbeeneducated，andhisfamilyhadalwayslived，hebecametheprosecutingattorneyofthattown，andlater，atAlbany，representedthedistrictintheAssembly。FromAlbanyheenteredalawofficeinNewYorkCity，andinthecauseofreformhadfoughtsomanygoodfightsthatonanindependentticket，muchtohissurprise，hehadbeenliftedtothehighpositionhenowheld。NomoreinhismannerthaninhisappearancedidWinthropsuggestthepopularconceptionofhisrole。Hewasnotprofessional，notmysterious。Instead，hewassane，cheerful，tolerant。Itwashisphilosophytobelievethattheworldwasinnocentuntilitwasprovedguilty。
Hewasabachelorand，exceptfortwosisterswhohadmarriedmenofprominenceinNewYorkandwhomovedinaworldoffashionintowhichhehadnotpenetrated，hewasalone。
Whenthevisitorsentered，Mr。Hallowell，withoutrising，greetedhisniececordially。
"Ah，Helen!Iamgladtoseeyou，"hecalled，andaddedreproachfully，"atlast。"
"Howdoyoudo，sir？"returnedMissHelenstiffly。WithmarkeddisapprovalshebowedtoJudgeGaylor。
"AndourDistrictAttorney，"criedMr。Hallowell。"Pardonmynotrising，won"tyou？Ihaven"tseenyou，sir，sinceyoutriedtogettheGrandJurytoindictme。"Hechuckeddelightedly。"Youdidn"tsucceed，"hetaunted。
Winthropshookhandswithhim，smiling，"Don"tblameme，"hesaid，"Ididmybest。I"mgladtoseeyouinsuchgoodspirits，Mr。Hallowell。Ifeared，bytheDespatch——"
"Lies，lies，"interruptedHallowellcurtly。"YouknowJudgeGaylor？"
Asheshookhands，WinthropansweredthattheJudgeandhewereoldfriends；thattheykneweachotherwell。
"Knoweachothersowell!"returnedtheJudge，"thatweoughttobeoldenemies。"
Theyoungermannoddedappreciatively。"That"strue!"helaughed，"onlyIdidn"tthinkyou"dadmitit。"
WithlightsarcasmMr。HallowellinquiredwhetherWinthropwaswiththeminhisofficialcapacity。
"Oh，don"tsuggestthat!"beggedWinthrop；"you"llbehavingmeindictednext。Nosir，Iamherewithoutanyexcusewhatsoever。
Iamjustinterferingasafriendofthisyounglady。"
"Good，"commentedHallowell。"I"dbesorrytohavemyniecearraycounselagainstme——especiallysuchdistinguishedcounsel。Sitdown，Helen。"
MissCoatesbalancedherselfontheedgeofachairandspokeincool，business-liketones，"Mr。Hallowell，"shebegan，"Icame。"
"Mr。Hallowell？"objectedheruncle。
"UncleStephen，"MissCoatesagainbegan，"Iwishtobeasbriefaspossible。IaskedyoutoseemetodaybecauseIhopedthatbytalkingthingsoverwemightavoidlawsuitsandlitigation。"
Mr。Hallowellnoddedhisapproval。"Yes，"hesaidencouragingly。
"IhavetoldMr。Winthropwhatthetroubleis，"MissCoateswenton，"andheagreeswithmethatIhavebeenveryunjustlytreated——"
"Bywhom？"interruptedHallowell。
"Byyou，"saidhisniece。
"Wait，Helen，"commandedtheoldman。"HaveyoualsotoldMr。
Winthrop，"hedemanded，"thatIhavemadeawillinyourfavor？
That，wereItodietonight，youwouldinherittenmillionsofdollars？Isthattheinjusticeofwhichyoucomplain？"
JudgeGaylorgaveanexclamationofpleasure。
"Good!"heapplauded。"Excellent!"
HallowellturnedindignantlytoWinthrop。"Anddidshetellyoualso，"hedemanded，"thatforthreeyearsIhaveurgedhertomakeahomeinthishouse？ThatIhaveofferedheranincomeaslargeasIwouldgivemyowndaughter，andthatshehasrefusedbothoffers。Andwhat"smore"——inhisexcitementhisvoicerosehysterically——"byworkingpubliclyforherlivingshehasmademeappearmeananduncharitable，and——"
"That"sjustit，"interruptedMissCoates。"Itisn"taquestionofcharity。"
"Willyouallowme？"saidWinthropsoothingly。"Yourniececontends，sir，"heexplained，"thatthismoneyyouofferedherisnotyourstooffer。Sheclaimsitbelongstoher。Thatit"swhatshouldhavebeenherfather"sshareoftheprofitsontheCoates-Hallowellcouplingpin。But，asyouhavewilledyourniecesomuchmoney，althoughhalfofitishersalready，I
advisedhernottofight。Goingtolawisanexpensivebusiness。
Butshehasfoundout——andthat"swhatbringsmeuptownthismorning——thatyouintendtomakeanewwill，andleaveallhermoneyandyourowntoestablishtheHallowellInstitute。Now，"
Winthropcontinued，withapropitiatingsmile，"MissCoatesalsowouldliketobeaphilanthropist，inherownway，withherownmoney。Andshewishestowarnyouthat，unlessyoudeliverupwhatisdueher，shewillproceedagainstyou。"
JudgeGaylorwasthefirsttoanswer。
"Mr。Winthrop，"hesaidimpressively，"Igiveyoumyword，thereisnotonedollardueMissCoates，exceptwhatMr。Hallowellpleasestogiveher。"
MissCoatescontradictedhimsharply。"Thatisnotso，"shesaid。Sheturnedtoheruncle，"Youandmyfather，"shedeclared，"agreedinwritingyouwouldsharetheprofitsalways。"Mr。Hallowelllookedfromhisniecetohislawyer。Thelawyer，eyeinghimapprehensively，nodded。Withthepatientvoiceofonewhotriedtoreasonwithanunreasonablechild，Mr。
Hallowellbegan。"Helen，"hesaid，"Ihavetoldyoumanytimesthereneverwassuchanagreement。Therewasaverbal——"
"AndIrepeat，Isawit，"saidMissCoates。
"When？"askedHallowell。
"IsawitfirstwhenIwasfifteen，"answeredtheyoungwomansteadily，"andtwoyearslater，beforemotherdied，sheshowedittomeagain。Itwaswithfather"spapers。"
"MissCoates，"askedtheJudge，"whereisthisagreementnow？"
ForamomentMissCoateshesitated。HerdislikeforGaylorwassoevidentthat，tomakeitlessapparent，sheloweredhereyes。
"Myuncleshouldbeabletotellyou，"shesaidevenly。"Hewasmyfather"sexecutor。But，whenhereturnedmyfather"spapers"——
shepausedandthen，althoughhervoicefelltoalmostawhisper，continueddefiantly，"theagreementwasnotwiththem。"
Therewasamoment"ssilence。Toassurehimselftheothershadheardashedid，Mr。HallowellglancedquicklyfromWinthroptoGaylor。Hehalfrosefromhischairandleanedacrossthetable。
"What!"hedemanded。Hisniecelookedathimsteadily。
"YouheardwhatIsaid，"sheanswered。
Theoldmanleanedfartherforward。
"So!"hecried；"so!Iamnotonlydoingyouaninjustice，butI
amathief!Mr。Winthrop，"hecriedappealingly，"doyouappreciatetheseriousnessofthis？"
Winthropnoddedcheerfully。"It"scertainlyprettyserious，"heassented。
"Itissoserious，"criedMr。Hallowell，"thatIwelcomeyouintothismatter。Now，wewillsettleitonceandforever。"Heturnedtohisniece。"Ihavetriedtobegenerous，"hecried；"I
havetriedtobekind，andyouinsultmeinmyownhouse。"Hepressedthebuttonthatsummonedthebutlerfromthefloorbelow。"Gentlemen，thisinterviewisatanend。Fromnowonthismatterisinthehandsofmylawyer。Wewillsettlethisinthecourts。"
Withanexclamationofpleasurethatwasanacceptanceofhischallenge，MissCoatesrose。
"Thatissatisfactorytome，"shesaid。WinthropturnedtoMr。
Hallowell。
"CouldIhaveafewminutestalkwithJudgeGaylornow？"heasked。"Notasanybody"scounsel，"heexplained；"justasanoldenemyofhis？"
"Well，nothere，"protestedtheoldmanquerulously。"I"m——I"mexpectingsomefriendshere。Judge，takeMr。Winthroptothedrawingroomdownstairs。"HeturnedtoGarrett，whohadappearedinanswertohissummons，andtoldhimtobringDr。Raineytothelibrary。Thebutlerlefttheroomand，asGaylorandWinthropfollowed，thelatteraskedMissCoatesifhemightexpecttoseeheratthe"Office。"Shetoldhimthatshewasnowonherwaythere。Withoutacknowledgingthepresenceofheruncle，shehadstartedtofollowtheothers，whenMr。Hallowellstoppedher。
Aftertheywerealone，foramomenthesatstaringather，hiseyesfilledwithdislikeandwithasuggestionofchildishspite。"Imightaswelltellyou，"hebegan，"thatafterwhatyousaidthismorning，Iwillnevergiveyouasingledollarofmymoney。"
Thetoneinwhichhisniecerepliedtohimwasnomoreconciliatorythanhisown。"Youcannotgiveittome，"sheanswered，"becauseitisnotyourstogive。"Asthoughtoaddimpressivenesstowhatshewasabouttosay，ortopreventhisinterruptingher，sheraisedherhand。SointerestedineachotherweretheoldmanandthegirlthatneithernoticedtheappearanceinthedoorofDr。Raineyandthebutler，whohalted，hesitating，waitingpermissiontoenter。
"Thatmoneybelongstome，"saidMissCoatesslowly，"andassureasmymotherisinHeavenandherspiritisguidingme，thatmoneywillbegivenme。"
Inthepausethatfollowed，aswiftandsingularchangecameoverthefaceofMr。Hallowell。Hestaredathisnieceasthoughfascinated。Hislowerlipdroppedinawe。Thelookofhostilitygavewaytooneofintenseinterest。Hisvoicewashardlylouderthanawhisper。
"Whatdoyoumean？"hedemanded。
Thegirllookedathim，uncomprehending。"WhatdoImean？"sherepeated。
"Whenyousaid，"hestammeredeagerly，"thatthespiritofyourmotherwasguidingyou，whatdidyoumean？"
Inthedoorway，Raineyandthebutlerstarted。Eachthrewtheotheraquickglanceofconcern。
"Why，"exclaimedthegirlimpatiently，"herinfluence，herexample，whatshetaughtme。"
"Oh!"exclaimedtheoldman。Heleanedbackwithanairalmostofdisappointment。
"Whenshewasalive？"hesaid。
"Ofcourse，"answeredthegirl。
"Ofcourse，"repeatedtheuncle。"Ithoughtyoumeant——"Helookedsuspiciouslyatherandshookhishead。"Nevermind，"headded。"Well，"hewentoncynically，strivingtocoveruptheembarrassmentofthemoment，"yourmother"sspiritwillprobablyfeelasdeepaninterestinherbrotherasinherdaughter。Weshallsee，weshallseewhichofustwosheisgoingtohelp。"
HeturnedtoGarrettandRaineyinthehall。"Takemyniecetothedoor，Garrett，"hedirected。
AssoonasMissCoateshaddisappeared，HallowellturnedtoRainey，hisfacelitwithpleasedandchildishanticipation。
"Well，"hewhisperedeagerly，"isshehere？"
RaineynoddedandglancedinthedirectionoppositetotheoneMissCoateshadtaken。"She"sbeenwaitinghalfanhour。AndtheProfessortoo。"
"Bringthematonce，"commandedMr。Hallowellexcitedly。"Andthenshutthedoor——and——andtelltheJudgeIcan"tseehim——tellhimI"mtootiredtoseehim。Understand？"
Raineypeeredcautiouslyovertherailingofthestairstothefirstfloor，andthenbeckonedtosomeonewhoapparentlywaswaitingattheendofthehall。
"MissVera，sir，"heannounced，"andProfessorVance。"
AlthoughbutlatelyestablishedinNewYork，thepersonsDr。
Raineyintroducedhadalreadymadethemselvescomparativelywell-known。Forthelastsixweeksas"headliners"atoneofthevaudevilletheatres，andasentertainersatprivatehouses，underthefirmnameof"TheVances，"theyhadbeengivinganexhibitionofcodeandciphersignaling。Theycalleditmindreading。Duringtheday，atthehouseofVanceandhiswife，thegirl，as"Vera，theMedium，"furnishedtoallcomersmemoriesofthepastornewsofthefuture。Intheirprofession，inallofitsbranches，themanandthegirlwerepastmasters。TheyknewitfromtheA，B，Cofthedreambooktothepost-graduateworkofprojectingfromacabinetthespiritsofthedead。Astheoccasionofferedandpaidbest，theyweremindreaders，clairvoyants，materializingmediums，testmediums。Fromthem，apackofcards，acrystalglobe，thelinesofthehumanhand，heldnosecrets。Theyfoundlostarticles，casthoroscopes，gaveadviceinaffairsoftheheart，ofbusinessandspeculation，utteredwarningsofjourneysoverseasandagainstasmooth-
shavenstranger。Theyevenstoopedtoforetellearthquakes，orcausedtodropflutteringfromtheceilingaletterstraightfromtheHimalayas。Amongthosewhoarethegypsiesofthecities，theywerethearistocratsoftheircalling，andtothemthatcallingwasaslegitimateabusinessasis，totheroadsidegypsy，theswappingofhorses。Thefore-parentsofeachhadfollowedthatsamecalling，andtothechildrenitwascommonplaceandmatter-of-fact。Itheldnoadventure，nomoralobloquy。
"Prof。"PaulVancewasayoungmanofunderfortyyears。Helookedlikeafox。Hehadredeyes，alertandcunning，along，sharp-pointednose，apointedredbeard，andredeyebrowsthatslantedupward。Hishair，standingerectinapompadour，andhisupliftedeyebrowsgavehimthewatchfullookofthefoxwhenhehearssuddenlythehoundbayinginpursuit。ButnoonehadeversuccessfullypursuedVance。Noonehadeverdrivenhimintoacornerfromwhich，eitherpleasantly，orwithragingindignation，hewasnotabletofreehimself。Sevenyearsbeforehehaddisloyallymarriedoutofthe"profession"andfornootherreasonthanthathewasinlovewiththewomanhemarried。
Shehadcometoseekadvicefromthespiritworldinregardtotakingasecondhusband。AfterseveralvisitsthespiritworldhadadvisedVancetoadvisehertomarryVance。
Shedidso，andthoughthemanwasstillinlovewithhiswife，hehadnotfoundher，inhiswork，theassistancehehadhopedshemightbe。Shestillwasa"believer"；inthetechnicalvernacularofherhusband——"adope。"NoteventheintimateknowledgeshehadgainedbehindthescenescouldpersuadeherthatPaul，herhusband，wasnotinconstantcommunicationwiththespiritworld，orthat，ifhewished，hecouldnotreadthethoughtsthatmovedslowlythroughherprettyhead。
Atthetimeofhismarriage，thegirlVera，thenachildoffourteen，hadwrittentoVanceforhelp。Shewasill，withoutmoney，andaskedforwork。Tohimshewasknownasthelastofalonglineofpeoplewhohadalwaysbeenprofessionalmediumsandspiritualists，and，outofcharityandfromasenseofnoblesseobligetooneoftheelectoftheprofession，Vancehadmadeherhisassistant。Hehadneverregrettedhavingdoneso。Thebreadcastuponthewaterswasreturnedathousandfold。Fromthefirst，thegirlbroughtinmoney。Andhiswife，theolderofthetwo，hadwelcomedherasacompanion。AfterafashiontheVanceshadadoptedher。Intheadvertisementsshewasdescribedastheir"ward。"
Veranowwastwenty-one，tall，wonderfullygraceful，andofthemostenchantingloveliness。Hereducationhadbeencosmopolitan。
InthelargestcitiesofAmericashehadmetpersonsofeveryclass——youngwomen，oldwomen，motherswithmarriedsonsanddaughters；womenofsocietyasitisexploitedintheSundaysupplements；schoolgirls，shopgirls，factorygirls——allhadtoldhertheirtroubles；andmenofeveryconditionhadcometoscoffandhadremainedtoexpress，moreorlessoffensively，theiradmiration。Someoftheyoungerofthese，afterafirstvisit，returnedthedayfollowing，andeachbeggedthebeautifulpriestessoftheocculttoflywithhim，tolivewithhim，tomarryhim。WhenthishappenedVerawouldtouchabutton，and"Mannie"Day，whoadmittedvisitors，andlater，inthehall，searchedtheirhatsandumbrellasforinitials，cameontherunandthrewtheinfatuatedoneoutuponacoldandunfeelingsidewalk。
SoVerahadseenboththeseamysideoflifeand，inthedrawingroomswhereVanceandsheexhibitedtheirmindreadingtricks，hadbeenmademuchofbygreatladiesand，foranhourasbriefasCinderella"s，hadlookeduponaworldofkindandwell-bredpeople。Sinceshewasfourteen，forsevenyears，thishadbeenherlife——alifeasopentothepublicasthelifeofanactress，aseasyofaccessasthatofthestenographerinthehotellobby。Asaresult，thegirlhadencasedherselfinadefensivearmorofhardnessanddistrust，aprotectionwhichwasrenderedfutilebythelovelinessofherface，bythesoftnessofhervoice，bythedeep，broodingeyes，andthefineforeheadonwhich，likeacrown，restedtheblackwavesofherhair。
InherworkVeraaccepted，withoutquestion，thepartstowhichVanceassignedher。Whenintheirmummeriestheyweresuccessful，sheneitherenjoyedthecredulityofthosetheyhadtrickednorwassoberedwithremorse。IntheworldVancefoundacertainnumberofpeoplewithmoneywhodemandedtobefooled。
Itwashisbusinessandherstomeetthatdemand。Ifevertheconscienceofeitherstirredrestlessly，Vancesootheditbytheeasyanswerthatiftheydidnottakethemoneysomeoneelsewould。Itwasallintheday"swork。Itwasherprofession。
AssheenteredthelibraryofMr。Hallowell，which，withVance，shealreadyhadvisitedseveraltimes，shelookedlikeachildmasqueradinginhermother"sfinery。ShesuggestedaningenuewhohadbeensuddenlysentonintheroleoftheRussianadventuress。Herslightgirl"sfigurewasdrapedinblacklace。
Herfacewasshadedbyalargepicturehat，heavywithdroopingostrichfeathers；aroundhershoulderswasanecklaceofjade，andonherwristsmanybraceletsofsilvergilt。Whenshemovedtheyrattled。Asthegirladvanced，smiling，togreetMr。
Hallowell，shesuddenlystopped，shiveredslightly，andthrewherrightarmacrosshereyes。Herleftarmshestretchedoverthetable。
"Givemeyourhand!"shecommanded。Dubiously，withawatchfulglanceatVance，Mr。Hallowellleanedforwardandtookherhand。
"Youhavebeenill，"criedthegirl；"veryill——Iseeyou——I
seeyouinakindoffaint——verylately。"Hervoiceroseexcitedly。"Yes，lastnight。"
Mr。Hallowellprotestedwithindignation。"Youreadthatinthemorningpaper，"hesaid。
Veraloweredherarmfromhereyesandturnedthemreproachfullyonhim。
"Idon"treadtheDespatch，"sheanswered。
Mr。Hallowelldrewbacksuspiciously。"Ididn"tsayitwastheDespatch，"hereturned。
Vancequicklyinterposed。"Youdon"thavetosayit，"heexplainedwithglibness；"youthoughtit。AndVerareadyourthoughts。YouwerethinkingoftheDespatch，weren"tyou？Well，thereyouare!It"swonderful!"
"Wonderful？Nonsense!"mockedMr。Hallowell。"ShedidreaditinthepaperorRaineytoldher。"
Thegirlshruggedhershoulderspatiently。"Ifyouwouldratherfindoutyouwereillfromthenewspapersthanfromthespiritworld，"sheinquired，"whydoyouaskmehere？"
"Iaskyouhere，youngwoman，"exclaimedHallowell，sinkingbackinhischair，"becauseIhopedyouwouldtellmesomethingI
can"tlearnfromthenewspapers。Butyouhaven"tbeenabletodoityet。Mydearyounglady，"exclaimedtheoldmanwistfully，"I
wanttobelieve，butImustbeconvinced。Notrickswithme!I
canexplainhowyoumighthavefoundouteverythingyouhavetoldme。Givemeasign!"Hebeattheflatofhishanduponthetable。"ShowmesomethingIcan"texplain!"
"Mr。Hallowellisquiteright，Vera，"saidVance。"Heisenteringwhatistohimanewworld，fullofmysteries，andthatcautionwhichinthisworldhasmadehimsosuccessful——"
Withanexclamation，Hallowellcutshortthepatteroftheshowman。
"Yes，yes，"heinterruptedpetulantly；"Itellyou，Iwanttobelieve。Convinceme。"
Consideringthesituationwithpursedlipsandthoughtfuleyes，Veragazedattheoldman，frowning。Finallysheasked，"Haveyouwitnessedoutdemonstrationsofmindreading？"
Mr。Hallowellsnorted。"Certainlynot，"hereplied；"it"satrick!"
"Atrick!"criedthegirlindignantly，"toreadaman"smind——
toseerightthroughyourforehead，throughyourskull，intoyourbrain？Isthatatrick？"SheturnedsharplytoVance。"Showhim!"shecommanded；"showhim!"Shecrossedrapidlytothewindowandstoodlookingdownintothestreet，withherbacktotheroom。
Vance，withhisbackturnedtoVera，stoodclosetothetable，ontheothersideofwhichHallowellwasreclininginhisarmchair。Vancepickedupapenholder。
"ThinkofwhatIhaveinmyhand，please，"hesaid。"Whatisthis，Vera？"heasked。Thegirl，gazingfromthewindowatthetrafficintheavenuebelowher，answeredwithindifference，"A
penholder。"
"Yes，whataboutit？"snappedVance。
"Goldpenholder，"Veraansweredmorerapidly。"Muchengraving——initialsS。H——Mr。Hallowell"sinitials——"
"Thereisadatetoo。Canyou——"
"December——"Verahesitated。
"Goon，"commandedVance。
"Twenty-five，one，eight，eight，six；onethousandeighthundredandeighty-six。"Shemovedhershouldersimpatiently。
"Oh，tellhimtothinkofsomethingdifficult，"shesaid。
FrombehindMr。Hallowell"schairRaineysignaledtoVancetotakefromthetableaphotographframeofsilverwhichheldthepictureofawoman。
Vancepickeditup，holdingitclosetohim。
"WhathaveIhere，Vera？"heasked。
Hallowell，seeingwhatVanceheldinhishand，leanedforward。
"Putthatdown!"hecommanded。ButVerahadalreadybeguntoanswer。
"Apicture，apictureofayoungwoman。AskhimtothinkofwhoitisandIwilltellhim。"
AtthewordsMr。Hallowellhesitated，frowned，andthennodded。
"Itishissister，"calledVera。"Hernamewas——IseemtogetaCatherine——yes，that"sit；CatherineCoates。Sheisnolongerwithus。Shepassedintothespiritworldthreeyearsago。"Thegirlturnedsuddenlyandapproachedthetable，holdingherheadhigh，asthoughoffended。
"Howdoyouexplainthattrick？"shedemanded。
Mr。Hallowellmoveduneasilyinhischair。"Oh，thepicture"sbeenonmydeskeachtimeyou"vebeenhere，"heanswereddubiously。"Raineycouldhavetoldyou。"
"Asamatteroffact，Ididn"t，"saidRainey。
Hallowell"seyeslightenedwithinterest。"Didn"tyou？"heasked。HeturnedtoVera。"Ifyoucanreadmymind，"hechallenged——"you，"headded，pointingatVance，"keepoutofthisnow——tellmeofwhatIamthinking。"AsVancedrewback，Raineyandhimselfexchangedaquickglanceofapprehension，butthegirlpromptlyclosedhereyes，andatonce，inadull，measuredtone，begantospeak。
"Youwerethinkingyouwouldliketoaskaquestionofsomeoneinthespirit，"sherecited。"Butyouareafraid。Youdonottrustme。YouwillwaituntilIgiveyouasign；thenyouwillaskthatquestionofsomeonedeartoyou，whohaspassedbeyond，andshewillanswer，andyourtroubleswillbeatanend。"SheopenedhereyesandstaredatMr。Hallowelllikeonecomingoutofadream。"WhatdidIsay？"sheasked。"WasI
right？"
Hallowellslankbackinhischair，shakinghishead。
"Yes，"hebegangrudgingly，"but——"
Withaneagernesshardlyconcealed，Vanceinterrupted。
"Whatisthequestionyouwishtoask？"hebegged。
Withafrownofsuspicion，HallowellturnedfromhimtoRainey。
"Idon"tthinkIoughttoletthemknow，"hequestioned；"doyou？"Buthisattentionwassharplydiverted。
Vera，inahushedandsolemnvoice，calledforsilence。
"Mycontrol，"sheexplained——hertonewasdeepandawestruck——"istryingtocommunicatewithme。"
Vancegaveanexclamationofconcern。TheprospectofthephenomenaVerapromisedseemedtofillhimwithdelightfulexpectations。"Beveryquiet，"hecautioned，"donotdisturbher。"
Deeplyimpressed，Mr。Hallowellstruggledfromhischair。
Unaided，hemovedtobelowthetableandleaningagainstitlooked，withunwillingbutfascinatedinterest，atVera"supliftedface。
"Someoneinthespirit，"Verachanted，inanunemotional，druggedvoice，"wishestospeaktoMr。Hallowell。Givemeyourhand。"
"Quick!"directedVance，"giveheryourhand。Takeherhand。"
"Yes，heishere，"Veracontinued。"Awomanhasamessageforyou，sheisstandingclosebesideyou。Sheisholdingoutherarms。Andsheistrying，sohard，totellyousomething。Whatisit？"thegirlquestioned。"Oh，whatisit？Tellme，"shebegged。
"Can"tyoutellme？"
Hallowelleyedhergreedily，waitingalmostwithoutbreathingforherwords。Thehandwithwhichheheldherscrushedherringsintoherfingers。
"Whatsort？"——whisperedtheoldman。"Whatsortofawoman？"
Witheyesstillclosed，swayingslightlyandwithabruptshuddersrunningdownherbody，thegirlcontinuedindull，fatefultones。