dollars! I'd have made you both so rich," he
cried savagely, "that in two years you'd have drunk yourselves into
a mad-house. And you couldn't trust me! You've filled this house with
fakes and palm-readers. And, now, every one will know just what he
is--a senile, half-witted old man who was clay in my hands, clay in my
hands--and you've robbed me of him, you've robbed me of him!" His voice,
broken with anger and disappointment, rose in an hysterical wail. As
though to meet it a bell rang shrilly. Gaylor started and stood with
eyes fixed on the door of the bedroom. The three men eyed each other
guiltily.

The butler was the first to recover. With mask-like face he hastened
noiselessly across the room. In his tones of usual authority, Gaylor
stopped him.

"Tell Mr. Hallowell," he directed, "that his niece and District Attorney
Winthrop will be here any moment. Ask him if he wishes me to see them,
or if he will talk to them himself?"

When the faithful servant had entered the bedroom Gaylor turned to
Rainey.

"When do these mediums come today?" he asked.

Rainey stared sulkily at the floor.

"I think they're here now--downstairs," he answered. "Garrett generally
hides them there till you're out of the house."

"Indeed," commented Gaylor dryly. "After Winthrop and Miss Coates have
gone, I want to talk with your friends."

"Now, see here, Judge," whined Rainey; "don't make trouble. It isn't as
bad as you think. The old man's only investigating--"

"Hush!" commanded the Judge.

From the bedroom, leaning on the butler's arm, Stephen Hallowell came
stumbling toward them and, with a sigh, sank into an invalid's chair
that was placed for him between the fire and the long library table..
He was a very feeble, very old man, with a white face, and thin, white
hair, but with a mouth and lower jaw as hard and uncompromising as those
of a skull. His eyes, which were strangely brilliant and young-looking,
peered suspiciously from under ragged white eyebrows. But when they fell
upon the doctor, the eyes became suddenly credulous, pleading, filled
with self-pity.

"I'm a very sick man, Doctor," said Mr. Hallowell.

Judge Gaylor bustled forward cheerily. "Nonsense, Stephen, nonsense," he
cried; "you look a different man this morning. Doesn't he, Doctor?"

"Sure he does!" assented Rainey. "Little sleep was all he needed." Mr.
Hallowell shook his head petulantly. "Not at all!" he protested. "That
was a very serious attack.