Hallett," he observed, calmly, "I wished to ask
a question. You see, I have been very much interested by
the--ah--manifestations here this evening. Very much so, really--indeed,
yes."

The light keeper interrupted. "Don't bother me!" he ordered, savagely.
"I'm goin' to find that sneakin' rascal, and--Get out of my way, will
you?"

Somehow or other the little Egyptologist had moved forward until,
without appearing to have made an effort to do so, he was directly in
the captain's way--that is, between the latter and the door of the front
hall. The command to get out of the way he acknowledged politely and
with caution.

"Yes, yes, of course," he said, hastily. "I'm very sorry. Very sorry
indeed. I beg your pardon, Captain Hallett. Now there is one point in
this lady's--ah--messages--ah--communications, you know--which puzzles
me somewhat. You see--"

"I can't stop to talk to you now. I'm goin' to--WILL you get out of my
way?"

"Was I in your way? I BEG your pardon. How clumsy of me! I--ah--You see,
this lady's last message seemed to point so directly in my direction
that I felt constrained to speak. You see, when she, or her--control, is
it?--mentioned my being here in your house and accused me of having
an evil influence upon your daughter, I--well, I was surprised
and--ah--hurt."

A general gasp of astonishment from the circle behind him interrupted.
Mr. Abel Harding shouted "Eh!" and, for a wonder, his wife did not
take him to task for it. For the matter of that, she had uttered
an exclamation also. So had Ophelia Beebe and many others. Zacheus
whistled. Primmie once more referred to her saving soul. Martha Phipps
cried out.

As for Jethro Hallett, he stared uncomprehendingly at the Bangs' face
which looked so earnestly and gravely up into his. He drew a hand across
his forehead and breathed heavily.

"Wha--what are you talkin' about?" he demanded. "Who--who said anything
about you?"

Galusha transferred his gaze from the light keeper's countenance to that
of Miss Marietta Hoag. The medium's moonlike visage bore an expression
of intense surprise.

"Why--ah--she did," replied Galusha, gently. "This lady here. She said
that an outsider, a small, dark man, was exerting an evil influence upon
Miss Lulie--upon your daughter. Then she said this person was here in
your house. Now, as I am the only person present who answers to that
description, naturally I--well, I--really, I must protest. I have the
highest r