m is
showing wonderful power. If any one desires to ask a question, he should
do so now. The conditions will never be better." He paused expectantly.
"Mr. Hallowell," he prompted, "is it your wish to communicate with any
one in the spirit world?"

There was a long pause, and then the voice of Mr. Hallowell, harsh and
shaken, answered, "Yes."

"With whom?" demanded Vance.

There was again another longer pause, and then, above the confusion of
soft whisperings, the voice of the old man rose in sharp staccato; "My
sister, Catherine Coates." His tone hardened, became obdurate, final.
"But, I must see her, and hear her speak!"

Not for an instant did Vance hesitate. In tense, sepulchral tones, he
demanded of the darkness, "Is the spirit of Catherine Coates present?"

The whisperings and murmurs ceased. The silence of the room was broken
sharply by three quick raps. "Yes," intoned Vance, "she is present."

The voice of Hallowell protested fiercely. "I won't have that! I want to
see her!"

In the tone of an incantation, Vance spoke again. "Will the spirit show
herself to her brother?" The raps came quickly, firmly.

"She answers she will appear before you."

There was a moment that seemed to stretch interminably, and then, the
eyes of all, straining in the darkness, saw against the black velvet
curtain a splash of white.

Above the sobbing of the organ, the voice of Mr. Hallowell rang out in
a sharp exclamation of terror. "Who is that!" he demanded. He spoke as
though he dreaded the answer. He threw himself forward in his chair,
peering into the darkness.

"Is that you, Kate?" he whispered. His voice was both incredulous and
pleading.

The answer came in feeble, trembling tones. "Yes."

The voice of Hallowell shook with eagerness. "Do you know me, your
brother, Stephen?"

"Yes."

With a cry the old man fell back, groping blindly. He found Gaylor's arm
and clutched it with both hands.

"My God! It's Kate!" he gasped. "I tell you, Henry, it is Kate!"

The voice of Vance, deep and hollow like a bell, sounded a note of
warning. "Speak quickly," he commanded. "Her time on earth is brief."
Mr. Hallowell's hold upon the arm of his friend relaxed. Fearfully and
slowly, he bent forward.

"Kate!" he pleaded; "I must ask you a question. No one else can tell
me." As though gathering courage, he paused, and, with a frightened
sigh, again began. "I am an old man," he murmured, "a sick man. I will
be joining you very