ight
at his house. That you propose to exhibit the spirit of my mother. That
is an insult to the memory of my mother and to me. And I warn you, if
you attempt such a thing, I will prevent it."

There was a pause. When Vera spoke it was in the tone of every-day
politeness. Her voice was even and steady.

"You have been misinformed," she said, "there will be no seance
tonight."

Vance turned to Vera, and, in a voice lower than her own, but
sufficiently loud to include Miss Coates, said: "I don't think we told
you that Mr. Hallowell himself insists that this lady and her friends be
present."

"Her presence makes no difference," said Vera quietly. "There will be
no seance tonight. I will tell you about it later, Paul," she added. She
started toward the door, but Miss Coates moved as though to intercept
her.

"If you think," she cried eagerly, "you can give a seance to Mr.
Hallowell without my knowing it, you are mistaken."

Vera paused, and made a slight inclination of her head.

"That was not my idea," she said. She looked appealingly to Vance. "Is
that not enough, Paul?" she asked.

"Quite enough!" exclaimed the man. He turned to the visitor and made a
curt movement of the hand toward the open door.

"There will be a seance tonight," he declared. "At Mr. Hallowell's. If
you wish to protest against it, you can do so there. This is my house.
If you have finished--" He repeated the gesture toward the open door.

"I have not finished," said Miss Coates sharply; "and if you take
my advice, you will follow her example." With a nod of the head she
signified Vera. "When she sees she's in danger, she knows enough to
stop. This is not a question of a few medium's tricks," she cried,
contemptuously. "I know all that you planned to do, and I intend that
tomorrow every one in New York shall know it too."

Like a cloak Vera's self-possession fell from her. In alarm she moved
forward.

"What do you mean?" she demanded.

"I have had you people followed pretty closely," said Miss Coates. Her
tone was assured. She was confident that of those before her she was the
master, and that of that fact they were aware.

"I know," she went on, "just how you tried to impose upon my uncle--how
you tried to rob me, and tonight I have invited the reporters to my
house to give them the facts."

With a cry Vera ran to her.

"No!" she begged, "you won't do that. You must not do that!"

"Let her talk!" growled Vance. "Let her talk! Sh