e shouted, "print em!"

"I mean to," declared Miss Coates, "yours, and hers, she--"

Winthrop placed himself in front of her, shutting her off from the
others. He spoke in an earnest whisper.

"Don't!" he begged. "She has asked for a chance. Give her a chance."

Miss Coates scorned to speak in whispers.

"She has had a chance," she protested loudly. "She's had a chance for
nine years; and she's chosen to be a charlatan and a cheat, and--" The
angry woman hesitated, and then flung the word--"and a thief!"

In the silence that followed no one turned toward Vera; but as it
continued unbroken each raised his eyes and looked at her.

They saw her drawn to her full height; the color flown from her face,
her deep, brooding eyes flashing. She was like one by some religious
fervor lifted out of herself, exalted. When she spoke her voice was low,
tense. It vibrated with tremendous, wondering indignation.

"Do you know who I am?" she asked. She spoke like one in a trance. "Do
you know who you are threatening with your police and your laws? I am a
priestess! I am a medium between the souls of this world and the next.
I am Vera--the Truth! And I mean," the girl cried suddenly, harshly,
flinging out her arm, "that you shall hear the truth! Tonight I will
bring your mother from the grave to speak it to you!"

With a swift, sweeping gesture she pointed to the door. "Take those
people away!" she cried.

The eyes of Winthrop were filled with pity. "Vera!" he said, "Vera!"

For an instant, against the tenderness and reproach in his voice the
girl held herself motionless; and then, falling upon the shoulder of
Mrs. Vance, burst into girlish, heart-broken tears.

"Take them away," she sobbed, "take them away!"

Mannie Day and Vance closed in upon the visitors, and motioning them
before them, drove them from the room.

Part III

The departure of the District Attorney and Miss Coates left Vera free
to consider how serious, if she carried out her threat, the consequences
might be. But of this chance she did not avail herself. Instead, with
nervous zeal she began to prepare for her masquerade. It was as though
her promise to Winthrop to abandon her old friends had filled her
with remorse, and that she now, by an extravagance of loyalty, was
endeavoring to make amends.

At nine o'clock, with the Vances, she arrived at the house of Mr.
Hallowell. Already, to the same place, a wagon had carried the cabinet,
a parlor organ,