willing
but fascinated interest, at Vera's uplifted face.

"Some one in the spirit," Vera chanted, in an unemotional, drugged
voice, "wishes to speak to Mr. Hallowell. Give me your hand."

"Quick!" directed Vance, "give her your hand. Take her hand."

"Yes, he is here," Vera continued. "A woman has a message for you, she
is standing close beside you. She is holding out her arms. And she
is trying, so hard, to tell you something. What is it?" the girl
questioned. "Oh, what is it? Tell me," she begged. "Can't you tell me?"

Hallowell eyed her greedily, waiting almost without breathing for her
words. The hand with which he held hers crushed her rings into her
fingers.

"What sort?"--whispered the old man. "What sort of a woman?"

With eyes still closed, swaying slightly and with abrupt shudders
running down her body, the girl continued in dull, fateful tones.

"She is a fair woman; about forty-five. She is speaking. She calls to
you, Brother, brother." Vera's voice rose excitedly. "It is the woman
in the picture; your sister! Catherine! I see it written above her
head--Catherine. In letters of light." She turned suddenly and fiercely.
"Ask her your question!" she commanded. "Ask her your question, now!"

By the sudden swaying forward of Vance and Rainey, in the intent look
in their eyes, it was evident that a crisis had approached. But Mr.
Hallowell, terrified and trembling, shrank back. His voice broke
hysterically. "No, no!" he pleaded. Both anger and disappointment showed
in the face of Vance and Rainey; but the girl, as though detached from
any human concerns, continued unmoved. "I see another figure," she
recited. "A young girl, but she is of this world. I seem to get an H.
Yes. Helen, in letters of fire."

"My niece, Helen!" Hallowell whispered hoarsely.

"Yes, your niece," chanted the girl. Her voice rose and thrilled. "And
I see much gold," she cried. "Between the two women, heaps of gold.
Everywhere I look I see gold. And, now, the other woman, your sister, is
trying to speak to you. Listen! She calls to you, Brother!"

So centered was the interest of those in the room, so compelling the
sound of the girl's voice, that, unnoticed, the sliding doors to the
library were slipped apart. Unobserved, Judge Gaylor and Winthrop halted
in the doorway. To the Judge the meaning of the scene was instantly
apparent. His face flushed furiously. Winthrop, uncomprehending, gazed
unconcerned over Gaylor's shoulder. The