an
inquiry is in progress, as the law requires, to determine the manner
of her father's death, and that her story of what happened that night
is essential to it."

"It will, at least, be a great help to us," said Goldberger gently,
and I saw how deeply the girl's delicate beauty appealed to him. It
was a beauty which no pallor could disguise, and Goldberger's
temperament was an impressionable one.

"I shall be glad to tell you all I know," said Miss Vaughan, "but I
fear it will not help you much."

"Will you tell us something, first, of your father's mental state?" I
suggested.

"For many years," she began, "father had been a student of mysticism,
and until quite recently he remained merely a student. I mean by that
that he approached the subject with a detached mind and with no
interest in it except a scientific interest."

"I understand," I said. "And that has changed recently?"

"It has changed completely in the last few months. He became a
disciple, a convert anxious to win other converts."

"A convert to what?"

"To Hinduism--to the worship of Siva."

"That is the cult to which Francisco Silva belongs?"

"Yes; he is a White Priest of Siva."

"And this change in your father has been since the coming of this man?"

"Yes."

"Do you know anything of him?"

"Only that he is a very wonderful man."

"You know nothing of his past?"

"No."

"Did your father wish you to become a convert?"

"Yes, he desired it deeply."

"A priestess of Siva, I believe it is called?"

"Yes."

"And the yogi also desired it?"

"He believed it would be a great destiny. But he urged it only for my
father's sake."

"So you determined to appeal to Mr. Swain?"

The colour deepened in her cheeks again.

"I decided to ask his advice," she said.

"Please tell us what happened that evening."

"Mr. Swain met me at the arbour in the corner of the grounds, as I had
asked him to, and convinced me that my father's mind had given way
under his long study of the occult. We decided that he should be
placed in a sanitarium where he could have proper attention, and Mr.
Swain was to make the necessary arrangements. All I would have to do
would be to sign some papers. We were just saying good-night, when my
father appeared at the entrance of the arbour."

"This was about midnight, was it not?"

"Yes."

"Why did you choose that hour for the meeting?"

"Because at that hour my father and the yogi were always engaged in
invo