t that
down!" he commanded. But Vera had already begun to answer.

"A picture, a picture of a young woman. Ask him to think of who it is
and I will tell him."

At the words Mr. Hallowell hesitated, frowned, and then nodded.

"It is his sister," called Vera. "Her name was--I seem to get a
Catherine--yes, that's it; Catherine Coates. She is no longer with
us. She passed into the spirit world three years ago." The girl turned
suddenly and approached the table, holding her head high, as though
offended.

"How do you explain that trick?" she demanded.

Mr. Hallowell moved uneasily in his chair. "Oh, the picture's been on my
desk each time you've been here," he answered dubiously. "Rainey could
have told you."

"As a matter of fact, I didn't," said Rainey.

Hallowell's eyes lightened with interest. "Didn't you?" he asked. He
turned to Vera. "If you can read my mind," he challenged--"you," he
added, pointing at Vance, "keep out of this now--tell me of what I am
thinking." As Vance drew back, Rainey and himself exchanged a quick
glance of apprehension, but the girl promptly closed her eyes, and at
once, in a dull, measured tone, began to speak.

"You were thinking you would like to ask a question of some one in the
spirit," she recited. "But you are afraid. You do not trust me. You will
wait until I give you a sign; then you will ask that question of some
one dear to you, who has passed beyond, and she will answer, and your
troubles will be at an end." She opened her eyes and stared at Mr.
Hallowell like one coming out of a dream. "What did I say?" she asked.
"Was I right?"

Hallowell slank back in his chair, shaking his head.

"Yes," he began grudgingly, "but--"

With an eagerness hardly concealed, Vance interrupted.

"What is the question you wish to ask?" he begged.

With a frown of suspicion, Hallowell turned from him to Rainey.

"I don't think I ought to let them know," he questioned; "do you?" But
his attention was sharply diverted.

Vera, in a hushed and solemn voice, called for silence.

"My control," she explained--her tone was deep and awestruck--"is trying
to communicate with me."

Vance gave an exclamation of concern. The prospect of the phenomena
Vera promised seemed to fill him with delightful expectations. "Be very
quiet," he cautioned, "do not disturb her."

Deeply impressed, Mr. Hallowell struggled from his chair. Unaided, he
moved to below the table and leaning against it looked, with un