lowell, supported by Rainey, sank into the invalid's chair in the
centre of the semicircle, Gaylor made his final appeal.

"Stephen," he begged, "are you sure you're feeling strong enough? Won't
some other night--" The old man interrupted him querulously.

"No, now! I want it over," he commanded. "Who knows," he complained,
"how soon it may be before--"

The sight of Mannie entering the room with Vance caused him to interrupt
himself abruptly. He greeted the showman with a curt nod.

"And who is this?" he demanded. Mannie, to whom a living millionaire
was much more of a disturbing spectacle than the ghost of Alexander the
Great, retreated hastily behind Vance.

"He is my assistant," Vance explained. "He furnishes the music." He
pushed Mannie toward the organ.

"Music!" growled Hallowell. "Must there be music?"

"It is indispensable," protested Vance. "Music, sir, is one of the
strongest psychic influences. It--"

"Nonsense!" cried Hallowell.

"Tricks," he muttered, "tricks!"

Vance shrugged his shoulders, and smiled in deprecation. "I am sorry to
find you in a skeptical mood, Mr. Hallowell," he murmured reprovingly
"It will hardly help to produce good results. Allow me," he begged, "to
present two true believers."

With a wave of the hand he beckoned forward a stout, gray-haired woman
with bulging, near-sighted eyes that rolled meaninglessly behind heavy
gold spectacles.

"Mrs. Marsh of Lynn, Massachusetts," proclaimed Vance, "of whom you have
heard. Mrs. Marsh," he added, "is probably the first medium in America.
The results she has obtained are quite wonderful. She alone foretold the
San Francisco earthquake, and the run on the Long Acre Square Bank."

"I am glad to know you," said Mr. Hallowell. "Pardon my not rising."

The old lady curtsied obsequiously.

"Oh, certainly, Mr. Hallowell," she protested. "Mr. Hallowell," she went
on, rolling the name delightedly on her tongue, "I need not tell you
how greatly we spiritualists rejoice over your joining the ranks of the
believers."

Hallowell nodded. He was not altogether unimpressed. "Thanks," he
commented dryly. "But I am not quite there yet, madam."

"We hope," said Vance sententiously, "to convince Mr. Hallowell
tonight."

"And I am sure, Mr. Hallowell," cried the old lady, "if any one can do
it, little Miss Vera can. Hers is a wonderful gift, sir, a wonderful
gift!"

"I am glad to hear you say so," returned Hallowell.

He nodded to her in d