ry one," he called, "except the committee, who are to bind and tie
the medium, will take the place I give him, and remain in it. Mr. Day
will please acquaint Miss Vera and Mrs. Vance with the fact that we are
ready."

Up to this point Vance had appeared only as a stage manager. He had
been concerned with his groupings, his lights, in assigning to his
confederates the parts they were to play. Now that the curtain was
to rise, as an actor puts on a wig and grease paint, Vance assumed a
certain voice and manner. On the stage the critics would have called him
a convincing actor. He made his audience believe what he believed. He
knew the eloquence of a pause, the value of a surprised, unintelligible
exclamation. One moment he was as professionally solemn as a "funeral
director;" the next, his voice, his whole frame, would shake with
excitement, in an outburst of fanatic fervor. As it pleased him he
could play Hamlet, tenderly shocked at the sight of his dead father, or
Macbeth, retreating in horror before the ghost of Banquo. For the moment
his manner was that of the undertaker.

"Now, Mr. Hallowell," he said hoarsely, "please to name those you wish
to serve on the committee."

Mr. Hallowell waved his arm to include every one in the room.

"Everybody will serve on the committee," he declared. "Everything is to
be open and above-board. The whole city is welcome on the committee. I
want this to be above suspicion."

"That is my wish, also, sir," said Vance stiffly. "But a committee of
more than three is unwieldy. Suppose you name two gentlemen and I one?
Or," he shrugged his shoulders, "you can name all three."

After a moment of consideration Mr. Hallowell pointed at Lee. "I choose
Mr.--that young man," he announced, "and Judge Gaylor."

"I would much rather not, Stephen," Judge Gaylor whispered.

"I know, Henry," answered the other. "But I ask it of you. It will give
me confidence." He turned to Vance. "You select some one," he commanded.

With a bow, Vance designated the tall German.

"Will Professor Strombergk be acceptable?" he asked. Mr. Hallowell
nodded.

"Then, the three gentlemen chosen will please come to the cabinet."

Vance, his manner now that of a master of ceremonies, assigned to each
person the seat he or she was to occupy. Miss Coates with satisfaction
noted that only Mrs. Vance separated Lee from the electric switch.

"I must ask you," said Vance, "to keep the sears I have assigned to you.
With