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。"