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。