"

For a moment the girl looked at him steadily. On her lips was a faint
smile of disdain, but whether for him or for herself, the Judge could
not determine.

"I don't know that," the girl said finally. "I don't ask." She turned to
Rainey. "Have you that photograph?" He gave her a photograph and after,
for an instant, studying it in silence, she returned it to him.

"It will be quite easy," she said to Vance. She walked to the door, and
instinctively the two men, who were seated, rose.

"I will see you tonight at Mr. Hallowell's," she said, and, with a nod,
left them.

"Well," exclaimed Rainey, "you didn't tell her!"

"I know," Vance answered. "I decided we'd be wiser to take advice from my
wife. She understands Vera better than I do." He opened the door to the
hall, and called "Mannie! Tell Mabel--Oh, Mabel," he corrected, "come
here a minute." He returned to his seat on the piano stool. "She can
tell us," he said.

In expectation of the arrival of Winthrop, Mrs. Vance had arrayed
herself in a light blue frock, and, as though she had just come in from
the street, in such a hat as she considered would do credit not only to
Vera but to herself.

"Mabel," her husband began, "we're up against a hard proposition.
Hallowell insists that Winthrop and Miss Coates must come to the seance
tonight."

"Winthrop and Miss Coates!" cried Mabel. In astonishment she glanced
from her husband to Rainey and Gaylor. "Then, it's all off!" she
exclaimed.

"That's what I say," growled Rainey.

"We want you to tell us," continued Vance, unmoved, "whether Vera should
know that now, or wait until tonight?"

"Paul Vance!" almost shrieked his wife, "do you mean to tell me you're
thinking of giving a materialization in front of the District Attorney!
You're crazy!"

"That's what I tell them," chorused Rainey.

Gaylor raised his hand for silence.

"No, Mrs. Vance," he said wearily. "We are not crazy, but," he added
bitterly, "we can't help ourselves. You mediums have got Mr. Hallowell
in such a state that he'll only do what his sister's spirit tells him.
He says, if he's robbing his niece, his sister will tell him so; if he's
to give the money to the Institute, his sister will tell him that. He
says, if Vance is fair and above-board, he shouldn't be afraid to have
his niece and any friends of hers present. We can't help ourselves."

"I helped a little," said Vance, "by insisting on having our own friends
there--told him the spi