第3章
TheinterviewwasfillingManniewithexcitementanddelight。Hechuckledwithpleasure。Hisfearofthegreatmanwasrapidlydeparting。Couldthis，heaskedhimself，bethe"terrortoevil-
doers，"themanwhosecruelquestionsdrovewitnessestotears，whose"thirddegree"sentveteransoftheunderworldstaggeringfromhisconfessionalbox，limpandgasping？
"Oh，prettywell，"saidtheboy，"seemsasifIcouldn"tkeepawayfromthem。Igotagoodthingfortoday——Pompadour——inthefifth。IputallthemoneyonherIcouldgettogether，"heannouncedimportantly，andthenaddedfrankly，withalaugh，"twodollars!"Thelaughwascontagious，andtheDistrictAttorneylaughedwithhim。
"Pompadour，"Winthropobjected，"she"soneofthosewintertrackfavorites。"
"Iknow，buttoday，"declaredMannie，"shewin，sure!"Carriedawaybyhisenthusiasm，andbythesympathyofhisaudience，herushed，unheeding，tohisfate。"Ifyou"dliketoputalittleon，"hesaid，"Icantellyouwhereyoucandoit。"
TheDistrictAttorneystaredandlaughed。"Youmustn"ttellmewhereyoucandoit，"hesaid。
Manniegaveaterrifiedgaspand，foraninstant，clappedhishandsoverhislips。"That"sright，"hecried。"Gee，that"sright!I"msuchacrankonallkindsofsportthatIcleanforgot!"
Hegazedatthemuch-dreadedDistrictAttorneywiththeaweofthenew-bornhero-worshipper。"Iguessyouare，too，hey？"heprotestedadmiringly。"Verawastellingmeyouusedtobeagreatballtosser。"
InthefaceoftheDistrictAttorneytherecameasuddeninterest。Hiseyeslightened。
"Howdidshe——"
"SheusedtowatchyouinGeneva，"saidMannie，"playingwiththecollegelads。I——I，"headdedconsciously，"wasaballplayermyselfonce。UsedtopitchfortheInterstateLeague。"Hestoppedabruptly。
"Interstate？"saidWinthropencouragingly。"Youmusthavebeengood。"
Theenthusiasmhaddepartedfromthefaceoftheboy。"Yes，hesaid，"but——"hesmiledshamefacedly，"butIgottakingcoke，andthey——"Hefinishedwithadramaticgestureofthehandasofamantossingawayacigarette。
"Cocaine？"saidtheDistrictAttorney。
Theboynoddedand，foraninstant，thetwomeneyedeachother，theboysmilingruefully。TheDistrictAttorneyshookhishead。
"Myyoungfriend，"hesaid，"youcanneverbeatthatgame!"
Manniestaredathim，hiseyesfilledwithsurprise。
"Don"tyousuppose，"hesaidsimply，"thatIknowthatbetterthanyoudo？"Withaboy"sprideinhisownincorrigibilityhewentonboastingly:"Oh，yes，"hesaid，"Iusedtobeawfulbad!
Cocaineandallkindsofdope，andcigarettes，andwhiskey。I
wasnearlyallin——withmorphine，itwasthen——tillshetookholdofme，andstoppedme。"
"She？"saidWinthrop。
"Vera，"saidMannie。"Shemademestop。Ihadtostop。Shestartedtakingitherself。"
"What!"criedWinthrop。
"Oh!"exclaimedManniehastily，"Idon"tmeanwhatyoumean——I
meanshestartedtakingittomakemestop。Shesaystome，Mannie，you"rekillingyourself，andyougottoquitit；andifyoudon"t，everytimeyoutakeagrain，I"lltaketwo。Andshedid!I"dcomehome，andshe"dseewhatI"dbeendoing，andshe"dupwithhersleeves，and——"Inhorriblepantomime，theboyliftedthecuffofhisshirt，andpressedhisrightthumbagainstthewristofhisotherarm。Atthememoryofit，hegaveashiverand，withablow，roughlystruckthecuffintoplace。
"God!"hemuttered，"Icouldn"tstandit。Ibegged，andbeggedhernot。Icried。Iusedtogetdown，inthisroom，onmyknees。
Andeachtimeshe"dgetwhiter，andblackundertheeyes。And——
andIhadtostop。Didn"tI？"
Winthropmovedhishead。
"Andnow，"criedtheboywithahappylaugh，"I"mallright!"Heappealedtotheoldermaneagerly，wistfully。"Don"tyouthinkI"mlookingbetterthanIdidthelasttimeyousawme？"
Again，withoutventuringtospeak，Winthropnodded。
Manniesmiledwithpride。"Everybodytellsmeso，"hesaid。
"Well，shedidit。That"swhatshedidforme。And，Icantellyou，"hesaidsimply，sincerely，"thereain"tanythingI
wouldn"tdoforher。Iguessthat"sright，hey？"headded。
Theeyesofthecruelcross-examiner，veiledunderhalf-closedlids，wereregardingtheboywithsocuriousanexpressionthatundertheirscrutinyMannie，inembarrassment，moveduneasily。
"Iguessthat"sright，"herepeated。
Tohissurprise，theDistrictAttorneyrosefromhiscomfortablepositionand，leaningacrossthetable，heldouthishand。
Mannietookitawkwardly。
"That"sallright，"hesaid。
"Sure，it"sallright，"saidtheDistrictAttorney。
Fromthehalltherewasthesoundoflight，quicksteps，andMannie，happytoescapefromasituationhedidnotunderstand，rantothedoor。
"She"scoming，"hesaid。Heopenedthedoorand，asVeraentered，heslippedpastherandcloseditbehindhim。
Verawalkeddirectlytothechairatthetopofthecentretable。Shewasnervous，andshewasconsciousthatthatfactwasevident。Toavoidshakinghandswithhervisitor，shecarriedherownclaspedinfrontofher，withthefingersinterlaced。
Shetriedtospeakinherusualsuave，professionaltone。"Howdoyoudo？"shesaid。
ButWinthropwouldnotbedenied。Withasmilethatshowedhispleasureatagainseeingher，headvancedeagerly，withhishandoutstretched。"Howareyou？"heexclaimed。"Aren"tyougoingtoshakehandswithme？"hedemanded。"Withanoldfriend？"
Veragavehimherhandquickly，andthen，seatingherselfatthetable，pickeduptheivorypointer。
"Ididn"tknowyouwerecomingasanoldfriend，"shemurmuredembarrassedly。"YousaidyouwerecomingtoconsultVera，themedium。"
"ButyousaidthatwastheonlywayIcouldcome，"protestedWinthrop。"Don"tyouremember，yousaid——"
Verainterruptedhim。Shespokedistantly，formally。"Whatkindofareadingdoyouwant？"sheasked。"Ahandreading，oracrystalreading？"
Winthropleanedforwardinhischair，franklysmilingather。Hemadenoattempttoconcealthepleasurethesightofhergavehim。Hismannerwasthatofaveryoldanddearfriend，who，forthefirsttime，hadmetherafteraseparationofyears。
"Don"twantanykindofareading，"hedeclared。"Iwantatalking。Youdon"tseemtounderstand，"heobjected，"thatIammakinganafternooncall。"Hisgoodhumorwasunassailable。
Lookingupwithaperplexedfrown，Veramethiseyesandsawthathewaslaughingather。Shethrewtheivorypointerdownand，leaningbackinherchair，smiledathim。
"Idon"tbelieve，"shesaiddoubtfully，"thatIknowmuchaboutafternooncalls。WhatwouldIdo，ifwewereonFifthAvenue？
WouldIgiveyoutea？"sheasked，"because，"sheaddedhastily，"thereisn"tanytea。"
"Inthatcase，itisnotetiquettetoofferany，"saidWinthropgravely。
"Then，"saidVera，"I"mdoingitright，sofar？"
Theybothlaughed；Verabecauseshestillwasinaweofhim，andWinthropbecausehewashappy。
"You"redoingitcharmingly，"Winthropassuredher。
"Good!"exclaimedVera。"Well，now，"sheinquired，"nowwetalk，don"twe？"
"Yes，"assentedWinthroppromptly，"wetalkaboutyou。"
"No，I——Idon"tthinkwedo，"declaredVera，inhaste。"I
thinkwetalkabout——Geneva。"Sheturnedtohimwithrealinterest。"Isthetownmuchchanged？"sheasked。
Asthoughpreparingforalongtalk，Winthropdroppedhishattothefloorandsettledhimselfcomfortably。"Well，itis，anditisn"t，"heanswered。"Haven"tyoubeenbacklately？"heasked。
Veralookedquicklyawayfromhim。
"Ihaveneverbeenback!"sheanswered。Therewasapauseandwhensheagainturnedhereyestohis，shewassmiling。"ButI
alwaystaketheGenevaTimes，"shesaid，"andIoftenreadthatyou"vebeenthere。You"reagreatmaninGeneva。"
Winthropnoddedgravely。
"WheneverIwanttobeagreatman，"hesaid，"IgotoGeneva。"
"Why，yes，"exclaimedVera。"LastJuneyoudeliveredtheorationtothegraduatingclass，"shelaughed，"onTheCollegeManinPolitics。Suchanoriginalsubject!Anddidyoupointtoyourself？"sheaskedmockingly，"asthe——thebrightexample？"
"No，"protestedWinthrop，"Iknewthey"dseethat。"
Muchtoherrelief，VerafoundthatofWinthropshewasnolongerafraid。
"Oh!"sheprotested，"didn"tyousay，twelveyearsago，ahumbleboyplayedballforHobartCollege。Thatboynowstandsbeforeyou？Didn"tyousaythat？"
"Somethinglikethat，"assentedtheDistrictAttorney。"Oh!"heexclaimed，"thatyoungmanwhoshowedmeinhere——yourconfederateorfellow-conspiratororlookoutmanorwhateverheis——toldmeyouusedtobearegularattendantatthosegames。"
"Inevermissedone!"Veracried。Sheleanedforward，hereyesshining，herbrowsknitwiththeeffortofrecollection。
"IusedtotellAunt，"shesaid，"Ihadtodriveinforthemail。Butthatwasonlyanexcuse。Aunthadanoldbuggy，andanoldwhitehorsecalledRoscoeConkling。IcalledhimRocks。Hewasblindinoneeye，andhewouldwalkonthewrongsideoftheroad；youhadtodrivehimononerein。"Thegirlwasspeakingrapidly，eagerly。Shehadlostallfearofhervisitor。WithsatisfactionWinthroprecognizedthis；andunconsciouslyhewasnowfranklyregardingthefaceofthegirlwithasmileofpleasureandadmiration。
"AndIusedtotiehimtothefencejustoppositefirstbase，"
Verawentonexcitedly，"andshout——foryou!"
"Don"ttellme，"interruptedWinthrop，inburlesqueexcitement，"thatyouwerethatveryprettylittlegirl，withshortdressesandlonglegs，whousedtositonthetoprailandkickandcheer。"
Verashookherheadsternly。
"Iwas，"shesaid，"butyouneversawme。"
"Oh，yes，wedid，"protestedWinthrop。"Weusedtocallyouourmascot。"
"No，thatwassomeotherlittlegirl，"saidVerafirmly。"Youneverlookedatme，andI"——shelaughed，andthenfrownedathimreproachfully——"Ithoughtyouweremagnificent!Iusedtohaveyourpicturesinbaseballclothespinnedallaroundmylookingglass，andwheneveryoumadeabasehit，I"dshoutandshout——andyou"dneverlookatme!Andoneday——"shestopped，andasthoughappalledbythememory，claspedherhands。"Oh，itwasawful!"sheexclaimed；"onedayafoulballhitthefence，andIjumpeddownandthrewittoyou，andyousaid，Thankyou，sis!AndI，"shecried，"thoughtIwasayounglady!"
"Oh!Icouldn"thavesaidthat，"protestedWinthrop，"maybeI
saidsister。"
"No，"declaredVeraenergeticallyshakingherhead，"notsister，sis。Andyouneverdidlookatme；andIusedtodrivepastyourhouseeveryday。Welivedonlyamilebelowyou。"
"Where？"askedWinthrop。
"OnthelakeroadfromSyracuse，"saidVera。"Don"tyourememberthefarmamilebelowyours——theonewiththeredbarnrightontheroad？Yes，youdo，"sheinsisted，"thecowswerealwayslookingoverthefencerightintotheroad。"
"Ofcourse!"exclaimedWinthropdelightedly。"Wasthatyourhouse？"
"Oh，no，"protestedVera，"ourswasthelittlecottageontheotherside——"
"Withpoplarsroundit？"demandedWinthrop。
"That"sit!"criedVeratriumphantly，"withpoplarsroundit。"
"Why，Iknowthathousewell。Weboysusedtocallitthehauntedhouse。"
"That"stheone，"assentedVera。Shesmiledwithsatisfaction。
"Well，that"swhereIliveduntilAuntdied，"shesaid。
"Andthen，what？"askedWinthrop。
Foramomentthegirldidnotanswer。Herfacehadgrowngraveandshesatmotionless，staringbeyondher。Suddenly，asthoughcastingherthoughtsfromher，shegaveasharptossofherhead。
"Then，"shesaid，speakingquickly，"Iwentintothemills，andwasillthere，andIwrotePaulandMabeltoaskifIcouldjointhem，andtheysaidIcould。ButIwastooill，andIhadnomoney——nothing。Andthen，"sheraisedhereyestohisandregardedhimsteadily，"thenIstolethatcloaktogetthemoneytojointhem，andyou——youhelpedmetogetaway，and——and"
Winthropbrokeinhastily。Hedisregardedbothhermannerandthenatureofwhatshehadsaid。
"AndhowdidyoucometoknowtheVances？"heasked。
Afterapauseofaninstant，thegirlacceptedthecuehismannergaveher，andansweredasbefore。
"Throughmyaunt，"shesaid。"shewasamediumtoo。"
"Ofcourse!"criedWinthrop。"Iremembernow。that"swhywecalleditthehauntedhouse。"
"Myaunt，"saidthegirl，regardinghimsteadilyandwith，inhermanner，acertaindefiance，"wasagreatmedium。AllthespiritualistsinthatpartoftheStateusedtomeetatourhouse。I"vewitnessedsomewonderfulmanifestationsinthatfrontparlor。"SheturnedtoWinthropandsmiled。"So，yousee，"
sheexclaimed，"Iwasbornandbroughtupinthisbusiness。Iamtheseventhdaughterofaseventhdaughter。Mygrandmotherwasamedium，mymotherwasamedium——sheworkedwiththeFoxsistersbeforetheywereexposed。But，myaunt，"sheaddedthoughtfully，judicially，"wasthegreatestmediumIhaveeverseen。ShedidcertainthingsIcouldn"tunderstand，andIknoweverytrickinthetrade——unless，"sheexplained，"youbelievethespiritshelpedher。"
Winthropwasobservingthegirlintently，withanewinterest。
"Andyoudon"tbelievethat？"heasked，quietly。
"HowcanI？"Verasaid。"Iwasbroughtupwiththem。"Sheshookherheadandsmiled。"IusedtoplayaroundthekitchenstovewithPocahontasandAlexandertheGreat，andMartinLutherlivedinourchinacloset。Yousee，theneighborswouldn"tlettheirchildrencometoourhouse；so，theonlyplaymatesIhadwere——ghosts。"Shelaughedwistfully。"My!"sheexclaimed，"Iwasaqueer，lonelylittlerat。Iusedtohearvoicesandseevisions。
Idostill，"sheadded。Withherelbowsonthearmsofherchair，sheclaspedherhandsunderherchinandleanedforward。
SheturnedhereyestoWinthropandnoddedconfidentially。
"Doyouknow，"shesaid，"sometimesIthinkpeoplefromtheotherworlddospeaktome。"
"Butyousaid，"Winthropobjected，"youdidn"tbelieve。"
"Iknow，"returnedVera。"Ican"t!"Hervoicewasperplexed，impatient。"Why，Icansitinthischair，"shedeclaredearnestly，"andfillthisroomwithspiritvoicesandrappings，andyousittingrighttherecan"tseehowIdoit。Andyet，inspiteofallthetricks，sometimesIbelievethere"ssomethinginit。"
ShelookedatWinthrop，hereyesopenwithinquiry。Heshookhishead。
"Yes，"insistedthegirl。"Whenthesewomencometomeforadvice，Idon"tinventwhatIsaytothem。It"sasthoughsomethingtoldmewhattosay。Ihavenevermetthembefore，butassoonasIpassintothetrancestateIseemtoknowalltheirtroubles。AndIseemtobehalfinthisworldandhalfinanotherworld——carryingmessagesbetweenthem。Maybe，"hervoicehadsunktoalmostawhisper；shecontinuedasthoughspeakingtoherself，"Ionlythinkthat。Idon"tknow。I
wonder。"
Therewasalongpause。
"Iwish，"beganWinthropearnestly，"Iwishyouwereyounger，orIwereolder。"
"Why？"askedVera。
"Because，"saidtheyoungman，"I"dliketotalktoyou——likeafather。"
Veraturnedandsmiledonhimsecurely，withfrankfriendliness。
"Goahead，"sheassented，"talktomelikeafather。"
Winthropsmiledbackather，andthenfrowned。
"Youshouldn"tbeinthisbusiness，"hesaid。
Thegirlregardedhimsteadily。
"What"sthematterwiththebusiness？"sheasked。
Winthropfeltshehadputhimuponthedefensive，buthedidnothesitate。
"Well，"hesaid，"theremaybesometruthinit。Butwedon"tknowthat。Wedoknowthatthere"salotoffraudanddeceitinit。Now，"hedeclaredwarmly，"there"snothingdeceitfulaboutyou。You"refine，"hecriedenthusiastically，"you"rebig!Thatboywhowasinheretoldmeonestoryaboutyouthatshowed——"
Verastoppedhimsharply。
"Whatdoyouknowofme？"sheaskedbitterly。"ThefirsttimeyoueversawmeIwasinapolicecourt；andthismorning——youheardthatmanthreatentoputmeinjail——"
Inturn，byabruptlyrisingfromhischair，Winthropinterruptedher。Hepushedthechairoutofhisway，and，shovinghishandsintohistrousers"pockets，beganpacingwithlong，quickstridesupanddowntheroom。"WhatdoIcareforthat？"hecriedcontemptuously。Hetossedthewordsatheroverhisshoulder。"IputlotsofpeopleinjailmyselfthatarebetterthanIam。Only，theywon"tplaythegame。"Hehalted，andturnedonher。"Now，you"renotplayingthegame。Thisisameanbusiness，takingmoneyfromsillygirlsandoldmen。You"retoogoodforthat。"Hehaltedatthetableandstoodfacingher。
"I"vegottwosistersuptown，"hesaid。Hespokecommandingly，peremptorily。"AndtomorrowIamgoingtotakeyoutoseethem。
Andwefellowtownsmen，"hesmiledatherappealingly，"willtalkthisover，andwe"llmakeyoucomebacktoyourownpeople。"
Foramomentthetworegardedeachother。Thenthegirlansweredfirmly，butwithaslighthoarsenessinhervoice，andinatonehardlylouderthanawhisper:
"YouknowIcan"tdothat!"
"Idon"t!"blusteredWinthrop。"Whynot？"
"Because，"saidthegirlsteadily，"ofwhatIdidinGeneva。"Asthoughtheanswerwastheonehehadfeared，themanexclaimedsharply，rebelliously。
"Nonsense!"hecried。"Youdidn"tknowwhatyouweredoing。Nodecentpersonwouldconsiderthat。"
"Theydo，"saidthegirl，"theyaretheveryoneswhodo。And——
it"sbeeninthepapers。EverybodyinGenevaknowsit。Andheretoo。AndwheneverItrytogetawayfromthis"——shestretchedoutherhandstoincludetheroomabouther——"Someonetells!
Fivetimes，now。Sheleanedforwardappealingly，notasthoughaskingpityforherself，butaswishinghimtoseeherpointofview。"Ididn"tchoosethisbusiness，"sheprotested，"Iwassortofborninit，and，"shebrokeoutloyally，"Ihatetohaveyoucallitameanbusiness；butIcan"tgetintoanyother。
WheneverIhave，somemansays，Thatgirlinyourfrontofficeisathief。"Therestraintsheputuponherself，theairofdisdainwhichatalltimesshehadfoundthemostconvenientdefense，fellfromher。
"It"snotfair!"shecried，"it"snotfair。"Tohermortification，thetearsofself-pitysprangtohereyes，andasshefiercelytriedtobrushthemaway，tohergreateranger，continuedtocreepdownhercheeks。"Itwasnineyearsago，"sheprotested，"Iwasachild。I"vebeenpunishedenough。"Sheraisedherfacefranklytohis，speakingswiftly，bitterly。
"Ofcourse，Iwanttogetaway!"shecried。"Ofcourse，Iwantfriends。I"veneverhadafriend。I"vealwaysbeenalone。I"mtired，tired!Ihatethisbusiness。IneverknowhowmuchIhateituntilthechancecomestogetaway——andIcan"t。"
Shestopped，butwithoutloweringherheadormovinghereyesfromhis。
"Thistime，"saidthemanquietly，"you"regoingtogetawayfromit。"
"Ican"t，"repeatedthegirl。"youcan"thelpme!"
Winthropsmiledatherconfidently。
"I"mgoingtotry，"hesaid。
"No，please!"beggedthegirl。Hervoicewasstillshakenwithtears。Shemotionedwithherheadtowardtheroombehindher。
"Thesearemypeople，"shedeclareddefiantly，asthoughdaringhimtocontradicther。"Andtheyaregoodpeople!They"vetriedtobegoodfriendstome，andthey"vebeentruetome。"
Winthropcametowardherandstoodbesideher，soclosethathecouldhaveplacedhishanduponhershoulder。Hewondered，whimsically，ifsheknewhowcruelsheseemedinappealingwithhertears，herhelplessnessandlovelinesstowhatwasgenerousandchivalricinhim；and，atthesametime，byherwords，treatinghimasaninterloperandanenemy。
"That"sallright，"hesaidgently。"Butthatdoesn"tpreventmybeingagoodfriendtoyou，too，doesit？Or，"headded，hisvoicegrowingtenseandconscious——"mybeingtruetoyou？Mysisterswillbeheretomorrow，"heannouncedbriskly。
Verahadwearilydroppedherarmsuponthetableandloweredherheaduponthem。Fromaplacedowninthedepthsshemurmuredaprotest。
"No，"contradictedWinthropcheerfully，"thistimeyouaregoingtowin。You"llhavebackofyou，IfIdosayit，twoofthebestwomenGodevermade。Only，now，youmustdoasIsay。"Therewasapause。"Willyou？"hebegged。
Veraraisedherheadslowly，holdingherhandacrosshereyes。
Therewasalongersilence，andthenshelookedupathimandsmiledpathetically，gratefully，andnodded。"Good!"criedWinthrop。"Nomorespooks，"helaughed，"nomorespiritrappings。"
ThroughhertearsVerasmiledupathimawan，brokensmile。Shegaveashudderofdistaste。"Never!"shewhispered。"Ipromise。"
Theireyesmet；thegirl"slookingintohisshyly，gratefully；
theman"ssearchingherseagerly。Andsuddenlytheysaweachotherwithanewandwonderfulsympathyandunderstanding。
Winthropfelthimselfbendingtowardher。Hewasconsciousthattheroomhadgrowndark，andthathecouldseeonlyhereyes。
"Youmustbejustyourself，"hecommanded，butsogently，sotenderly，that，thoughhedidnotknowit，eachwordcarriedwithitthetouchofacaress，"justyoursweet，fine，nobleself!"
Somethinghereadinthegirl"supliftedeyesmadehimdrawbackwithashockofwonder，ofdelight，withanupbraidingconscience。Topullhimselftogether，heglancedquicklyabouthim。Thedayhadreallygrowndark。Hefeltasuddendesiretogetaway；togowherehecouldaskhimselfwhathadhappened，whatitwasthathadfilledthisunknown，tawdryroomwithbeautyandgivenitthehappinessofahome。
"ByJove!"heexclaimednervously，"IhadnoideaI"dstayedsolong。You"llnotletmecomeagain。Goodbye——untiltomorrow。"
Heturned，holdingouthishand，andfoundthatagainthegirlhaddroppedherfaceuponherarm，andwassobbingquietly，gently。
"Oh，whatisit？"criedWinthrop。"WhathaveIsaid？"Thecatchinthegirl"svoiceasshetriedtocheckthesobswrenchedhisheart。"Oh，please，"hebegged，"I"vesaidsomethingwrong？I"vehurtyou？"Withherfacestillhiddeninherarms，thegirlshookherhead。
"No，no!"shesobbed。Hervoice，softwithtears，wasamelodyofsweetandtendertones。"It"sonly——thatI"vebeensolonely——andyou"vemademehappy，happy!"
Thesobsbrokeoutafresh，butWinthrop，nowknowingthattheybroughttothegirlpeace，wasnolongerfilledwithdismay。
Herheadwasbentuponherleftarm，herrighthandlightlyclaspedtheedgeofthetable。Withtheintentionofsayingfarewell，Winthroptookherhandinhis。Thegirldidnotmove。
Tohispresencesheseemedutterlyoblivious。Inthegatheringduskhecouldseethebentfigure，couldhearthesoft，irregularbreathingasthegirlweptgently，happily，likeachildsobbingitselftosleep。Thehandheheldinhisneitherrepellednorinvited，andforaninstanthestoodmotionless，holdingituncertainly。Itwassodelicate，sohelpless，soappealing，soaltogetherlovable。Itseemedtoreachup，and，withwarm，clingingfingers，clutchthetendrilsofhisheart。
Winthropbenthisheadsuddenly，andliftingthehand，kissedit；andthen，withoutagainspeaking，walkedquicklyintothehallandshutthedoor。Intheroomtheduskdeepened。ThroughtheopenwindowscametheroaroftheSixthAvenueElevated，theinsistentclamorofanelectrichansom，themurmurofBroadwayatnight。Thetearshadsuddenlyceased，butthegirlhadnotmoved。Atlast，slowly，stiffly，sheraisedherhead。Hereyes，filledwithwonder，withamazement，werefixeduponherhand。
Sheglancedcautiouslyabouther。Assuredshewasalone，withherotherhandsheliftedtheoneWinthrophadkissedandhelditpressedagainstherlips。
Thefoldingdoorswerethrownopen，lettinginafloodoflight，andMabelVance，enteringswiftly，kneltatthetableandbentherheadclosetoVera。
"Thatwoman"sinthehall，"shewhispered，"thatnieceofHallowell"s。PaulandManniecan"tgetridofher。Nowshe"sgotholdofWinthrop。Shesaysshewillseeyou。Becareful!"
Verarose。ThatMabelmightnotseeshehadbeenweeping，shewalkedtothepiano，covertlydryinghereyes。
"What，"sheaskeddully，"doesshewantwithme？"
"Abouttonight，"answeredMabel。Sheexclaimedfiercely，"Itoldthemthere"dbetrouble!"
WithVanceuponherheels，HelenCoatescameinquicklyfromthehall。Herfacewasflushed，hereyeslitwithindignationandexcitement。Inherhandsheheldanopenletter。
AsthoughtoprotectVera，bothVanceandhiswifemovedbetweenherandtheirvisitor，but，disregardingthem，MissCoatesatoncesingledoutthegirlasheropponent。
"YouaretheyoungwomantheycallVera，Ibelieve，"shesaid。
"IhaveanoteherefromMr。Hallowelltellingmeyouaregivingaseancetonightathishouse。Thatyouproposetoexhibitthespiritofmymother。Thatisaninsulttothememoryofmymotherandtome。AndIwarnyou，ifyouattemptsuchathing，I
willpreventit。"
Therewasapause。WhenVeraspokeitwasinthetoneofevery-
daypoliteness。Hervoicewasevenandsteady。
"Youhavebeenmisinformed，"shesaid，"therewillbenoseancetonight。"
VanceturnedtoVera，and，inavoicelowerthanherown，butsufficientlyloudtoincludeMissCoates，said:"Idon"tthinkwetoldyouthatMr。Hallowellhimselfinsiststhatthisladyandherfriendsbepresent。"
"Herpresencemakesnodifference，"saidVeraquietly。"Therewillbenoseancetonight。Iwilltellyouaboutitlater，Paul，"sheadded。Shestartedtowardthedoor，butMissCoatesmovedasthoughtointercepther。
"Ifyouthink，"shecriedeagerly，"youcangiveaseancetoMr。
Hallowellwithoutmyknowingit，youaremistaken。"
Verapaused，andmadeaslightinclinationofherhead。
"Thatwasnotmyidea，"shesaid。ShelookedappealinglytoVance。"Isthatnotenough，Paul？"sheasked。
"Quiteenough!"exclaimedtheman。Heturnedtothevisitorandmadeacurtmovementofthehandtowardtheopendoor。
"Therewillbeaseancetonight，"hedeclared。"AtMr。
Hallowell"s。Ifyouwishtoprotestagainstit，youcandosothere。Thisismyhouse。Ifyouhavefinished——"Herepeatedthegesturetowardtheopendoor。
"Ihavenotfinished，"saidMissCoatessharply；"andifyoutakemyadvice，youwillfollowherexample。"WithanodoftheheadshesignifiedVera。"Whensheseesshe"sindanger，sheknowsenoughtostop。Thisisnotaquestionofafewmedium"stricks，"shecried，contemptuously。"Iknowallthatyouplannedtodo，andIintendthattomorroweveryoneinNewYorkshallknowittoo。"
LikeacloakVera"sself-possessionfellfromher。Inalarmshemovedforward。
"Whatdoyoumean？"shedemanded。
"Ihavehadyoupeoplefollowedprettyclosely，"saidMissCoates。Hertonewasassured。Shewasconfidentthatofthosebeforehershewasthemaster，andthatofthatfacttheywereaware。
"Iknow，"shewenton，"justhowyoutriedtoimposeuponmyuncle——howyoutriedtorobme，andtonightIhaveinvitedthereporterstomyhousetogivethemthefacts。"
WithacryVerarantoher。
"No!"shebegged，"youwon"tdothat。Youmustnotdothat!"
"Lethertalk!"growledVance。"Lethertalk!She"sfunny。"
"No!"commandedVera。Hervoicerangwiththedistress。"Shecannotdothat!"SheturnedtoMissCoates。"Wehaven"thurtyou，"shepleaded；"wehaven"ttakenyourmoney。Ipromiseyou，"
shecried，"wewillneverseeMr。Hallowellagain。Ibegofyou——"
Vanceindignantlycaughtherbythearmanddrewherback。"Youdon"tbegnothingofher!"hecried。
"Ido，"Veraansweredwildly。ShecaughtVance"shandinbothofhers。"Ihaveachance，Paul，"sheentreated，"don"tforcemethroughitagain。Ican"tstandtheshameofitagain。"Oncemoresheappealedtothevisitor。"Don"t!"shebegged。"Don"tshameme。"
Buttheeyesoftheoldergirl，blindtoeverythingsavewhat，asshesawit，washerduty，showednoconsideration。
Vera"shands，tremblingonhisarm，droveVancetodeeperanger。
HeturnedsavagelyuponMissCoates。
"Youhaven"tlostanythingyet，haveyou？"hedemanded。"Shehasn"thurtyou，hasshe？Ifit"srevengeyouwant，"hecriedinsolently，"whydon"tyouthrowvitriolonthegirl？"
"Revenge!"exclaimedMissCoatesindignantly。"Itismyduty。Mypublicduty。I"mnotaloneinthis；IamactingwiththeDistrictAttorney。Itisourduty。"Sheturnedsuddenlyandcalled，"Mr。Winthrop，Mr。Winthrop!"
ForthefirsttimeVerasaw，underthegasjet，atthefartherendofthehall，thefiguresofMannieandWinthrop。
"No，no!"sheprotested，"Ibegofyou，"shecriedhysterically。
"I"vegotachance。Ifyouprintthisthingtomorrow，I"llneverhaveachanceagain。Don"ttakeitawayfromme。"Impulsivelyherarmsreachedoutinaneagerfinalappeal。"I"mdown，"shesaidsimply，"givemeachancetogetup。"
WhenMissCoatescametogivebattletotheVances，sheforesawtheinterviewmightbeunpleasant。Itwasprovingevenmoreunpleasantthanshehadexpected，butherdutyseemednonethelessobvious。
"Youshouldhavethoughtofthat，"shesaid，"beforeyouwerefoundout。"
ForaninstantVerastoodmotionless，staring，unconsciouslyholdingtheattitudeofappeal。Butwhen，bytheselastwords，sherecognizedthatherhumiliationcouldgonofurther，withaninarticulateexclamationsheturnedaway。
"Thepublichastherighttoknow，"declaredMissCoates，"thesortofpeopleyouare。Ihavetherecordofeachofyou——"
FromthehallWinthrophadenteredquickly，but，disregardinghim，Vancebrokeinuponthespeaker，savagely，defiantly。
"Printem，then!"heshouted，"printem!"
"Imeanto，"declaredMissCoates，"yours，andhers，she——"
Winthropplacedhimselfinfrontofher，shuttingherofffromtheothers。Hespokeinanearnestwhisper。
"Don"t!"hebegged。"Shehasaskedforachance。Giveherachance。"
MissCoatesscornedtospeakinwhispers。
"Shehashadachance，"sheprotestedloudly。"She"shadachancefornineyears；andshe"schosentobeacharlatanandacheat，and——"Theangrywomanhesitated，andthenflungtheword——"andathief!"
InthesilencethatfollowednooneturnedtowardVera；butasitcontinuedunbrokeneachraisedhiseyesandlookedather。
Theysawherdrawntoherfullheight；thecolorflownfromherface，herdeep，broodingeyesflashing。Shewaslikeonebysomereligiousfervorliftedoutofherself，exalted。Whenshespokehervoicewaslow，tense。Itvibratedwithtremendous，wonderingindignation。
"DoyouknowwhoIam？"sheasked。Shespokelikeoneinatrance。"Doyouknowwhoyouarethreateningwithyourpoliceandyourlaws？Iamapriestess!Iamamediumbetweenthesoulsofthisworldandthenext。IamVera——theTruth!AndImean，"
thegirlcriedsuddenly，harshly，flingingoutherarm，"thatyoushallhearthetruth!TonightIwillbringyourmotherfromthegravetospeakittoyou!"
Withaswift，sweepinggestureshepointedtothedoor。"Takethosepeopleaway!"shecried。
TheeyesofWinthropwerefilledwithpity。"Vera!"hesaid，"Vera!"
Foraninstant，againstthetendernessandreproachinhisvoicethegirlheldherselfmotionless；andthen，fallingupontheshoulderofMrs。Vance，burstintogirlish，heart-brokentears。
"Takethemaway，"shesobbed，"takethemaway!"
MannieDayandVanceclosedinuponthevisitors，andmotioningthembeforethem，drovethemfromtheroom。
PartIII
ThedepartureoftheDistrictAttorneyandMissCoatesleftVerafreetoconsiderhowserious，ifshecarriedoutherthreat，theconsequencesmightbe。Butofthischanceshedidnotavailherself。Instead，withnervouszealshebegantoprepareforhermasquerade。ItwasasthoughherpromisetoWinthroptoabandonheroldfriendshadfilledherwithremorse，andthatshenow，byanextravaganceofloyalty，wasendeavoringtomakeamends。
Atnineo"clock，withtheVances，shearrivedatthehouseofMr。Hallowell。Already，tothesameplace，awagonhadcarriedthecabinet，aparlororgan，andadozenofthosecampchairsthatareassociatedwithhouseweddingsandfunerals；andwhile，inthelibrary，VanceandManniearrangedthesetotheirliking，onthethirdfloorVera，withMrs。Vance，waitedforthatmomenttoarrivewhenVanceconsideredherentrancewouldbethemosteffective。
Thisentrancewastobemadethroughthedoorwaythatopenedfromthehallonthesecondstoryintothelibrary。Totherightofthisdoor，inanangleoftwowalls，wasthecabinet，andontheleft，thefirstofthecampchairs。Thesehadbeenplacedinasemicirclethatstretchedacrosstheroom，andendedattheparlororgan。ThedoorfromMr。Hallowell"sbedroomopeneddirectlyuponthesemicircleatthepointmostdistantfromthecabinet。InthecentreofthesemicircleVancehadplacedtheinvalid"sarmchair。
Vance，inhismannerasprofessionalandundisturbedasaphotographerfocussinghiscameraandarranginghisscreens，wasexplainingtoJudgeGaylorthesettingofhisstage。Thejudgewasanunwillingaudience。Unliketheshowman，forhimtheoccasionheldonlyterrors。Hewasdrivenbymisgivings，sweptbysuddenpanics。Hescowledatthecabinet，intrudingupontheprivacyoftheroomwhereforyears，withouttheaidofaccessories，byhisbrainsalone，hehadbroughtMr。Hallowellalmosttothepointofabjectsubmissiontohiswishes。HeturneduponVancewithbitterself-disgust。
"So，I"vegotdownaslowasthis，haveI？"hedemanded。
Vanceheardhim，undisturbed。
"Imustaskyou，"hesaid，briskly，"tohelpmekeepthepeoplejustasIseatthem。Theywillbeinthishalf-circlefacingthecabinetandholdinghands。Thoseweknowareagainstus，"heexplained，"willhaveoneofmyfriends，ProfessorStrombergk，orMrs。Marsh，ormywife，oneachsideofhim。Ifthereshouldbeanyattempttorushthecabinet，wemustgettherefirst。I
willbeoutsidethecabinetworkingtherappings，thefloatingmusic，andtheastralbodies。"AtthesightoftheexpressionthesewordsbroughttothefaceofGaylor，Vancepermittedhimselftheshadowofasmile。"Icantakecareofmyself，"hewenton，"butremember——Veramustnotbecaughtoutsidethecabinet!Whenthelightsgoup，shemustbefoundwiththeropesstilltied。"
Gaylorturnedfromhimwithanexclamationofdisgust。
"Pah!"hemuttered。"It"sahellofabusiness!"
Vancecontinuedunmoved。"And，anotherthing，"hesaid，"abouttheselights；thisswitchthrowsthemalloff，doesn"tit？"Hepressedabuttonontheleftofthedoor，andtheelectriclightsinthewallsandunderagreenshadeonthelibrarytablefadedanddisappeared，leavingtheroom，saveforthelightfromthehall，indarkness。
"That"sthewaywewantit，"saidtheshowman。
FromthehallMannieappearedbetweenthecurtainsthathungacrossthedoorway。"Whatareyoudoingwiththelights？"hedemanded。"Youwanttobreakmyneck？Allourpeoplearedownstairs，"heannounced。
Vanceturnedonthelights。AtthesamemomentRaineycamefromthebedroomintothelibrary。Itwasevidentthattosustainhiscouragehehadbeendrinking。Hemadenoefforttogreetthoseintheroom，butstood，glaringresentfullyatthecabinetandtherowofchairs。
"Well，"exclaimedVancecheerfully，"ifourfolksareallhere，we"reallright。"
Glancingbehindhim，MannietookVancebythesleeve，andledhimtothecentreoftheroom。
"No，we"renotallright，"saidtheboy，"thatMissCoateshasbroughtafriendwithher。ShesaysHallowelltoldhershecouldbringafriend。Shesaysthisyoungfellowisherfriend。I
thinkhe"saPink!"
"Whatnonsense，"exclaimedGaylorinalarm。"Nodetectivewouldforcehiswayintothishouse。"
"Shesays，"continuedMannie，disregardingGaylor，andstilladdressingVance，"he"saseekeraftertheTruth。I"llbet，"
declaredtheboyviolently，"he"saseekerafterthetruth!"
Garrettcamehastilyandnoiselesslyintotheroom。HenoddedtowardMannie。
"Hashetoldyou？"heasked。
"Yes，"Gayloranswered，"whoishe？"
"Thereporterwhowasherethismorning，"Garrettreturned。"Theonewhothreatened——"
"That"lldo，"commandedGaylor。Inthefaceofthisnewcomplicationheagainbecamehimself。SuavelyandpolitelyheturnedtoVance。"WillyouandyourfriendjoinMissVera，"heasked，"andtellherthatwebegininafewminutes？"
Forthefirsttime，aggressivelyandoffensivelyRaineybrokehissilence。
"No，wewon"tbegininafewminutes，"heannounced，"notbyadamnedsight!"
Theexplosionwassounexpectedthat，foraninstant，whiletheeyesofallwerefixedinastonishmentuponthespeaker，therewascompletesilence。Gaylor，stillsuave，stillpolite，lookedtowardVance，andmotionedhimtothedoor。
"WillyoukindlydoasIask？"hesaid。WithMannieathisside，Vancewalkedquicklyfromtheroom。Onceinthehall，theboylaidadetaininghanduponthearmoftheolderman。
"Ifyou"lltakemyadvice，whichyouwon"t，"hesaid，"we"llallcutandrunnow，whilewegotthechance!"
Inthelibrary，Gaylorturnedsavagelyuponhisfellowconspirator。
"Well!"hedemanded。
Raineyfrownedathimsulkily。"Iwashmyhandsofthewholething!"hecried。
Gaylordroppedhisvoicetoawhisper。
"Whatareyouafraidofnow？:hedemanded。"Ifyou"renotafraidofadistrictattorney，whyareyouafraidofareporter？"
"I"mnotafraidofanybody，"returnedRainey，thickly。"But，I
don"tmeantobeapartytonomurder!"Hepaused，shakinghisheadportentously。"Thatmaninthere，"hewhispered，noddingtowardthebedroom，"isinnoconditiontogothroughthis。
Afterthatshockthismorning，andlastnight——it"llkillhim。
Hisheart"srotten，Itellyou，rotten!"
Garrettsnarledcontemptuously。
"Howdoyouknow？"hedemanded。
"HowdoIknow？"returnedRainey，fiercely。"Iwasfouryearsinamedicalcollege，whenyouwereinjail，you——""Stopthat!"
criedGaylor。Glancingfearfullytowardtheopendoor，heinterposedbetweenthem。
"Don"ttakemyadvice，then，"criedRainey。"Goon!Killhim!
Andhewon"tsignyourwill。Only，don"tsayIdidn"ttellyou。"
"Haveyoutoldhim？"demandedGaylor。
"Yes，"Raineyansweredstoutly。"Toldhimifhedidn"tstopthis，hewouldn"tlivetillmorning。"
"Areweforcinghimtodothis？"demandedGaylor。"No!He"sforcingitonus。MyGod!"heexclaimed，"doyouthinkIwantthisfarce？Yousay，yourself，youtoldhimitwouldkillhim，andhewillgoonwithit。Thenwhydoyoublameus？Canwehelpourselves？"
Thebutlerhaddistinguishedthesoundsoffootstepsinthehall。Hefellhastilytorearrangingthecampchairs。
"Hush!"hewarned。"Lookout!"GaylorandRaineyhadbuttimetomoveapart，whenWinthropentered。Heregardedthethreemenwithasmileofunderstanding。
"Ibegpardon，"heexclaimed，"Iaminterrupting？"
Gaylorgreetedhimwithexaggeratedheartiness。
"Ah，itisMr。Winthrop!"hecried。"Haveyoucometohelpusfindoutthetruththisevening？"
"Icertainlyhopenot!"saidWinthropbrusquely。"Iknowthetruthabouttoomanypeoplealready。"HeturnedtoGarrett，who，unobtrusively，wasendeavoringtomakehisescape。
"IwanttoseeMissVera，"hesaid。
"MissVera，"interposedGaylor。"I"mafraidthat"snotpossible。
Sheespeciallyaskednottobedisturbedbeforetheseance。I"msorry。"
Winthrop"smannerbecamesuspiciouslypolite。
"Yes？"heinquired。"Well，neverthelessIthinkI"llaskher。
TellMissVera，please，"hesaidtoGarrett，"thatMr。Winthropwouldlikeawordwithherhere，"withsignificanceheadded，"inprivate。"
Inoffendeddignity，JudgeGaylormovedtowardthedoor。"Dr。
Rainey，"hesaidstiffly，"willyoupleaseinformMr。Hallowellthathisguestsarenowhere，andthatIhavegonetobringthemupstairs。"