idly towards an entanglement.

The apartment into which the seekers after information (or _no_
information) were ushered, was reached by ascending an old-fashioned
stair, through a hall not very well lighted, even in a summer afternoon;
and when they entered it they found it to be one of two, divided by a
red curtain which dropped to the floor and supplied the place of a door.
No necromantic appliances were visible in the room; and with the
exception of a table, three or four chairs and a carpet more or less
worn, it was without articles of use or ornament. Motioning the party to
chairs, which only Bell accepted, the negro attendant said:

"Will Monsieur and the ladies enter Madame's private room together, or
singly? Madame does not often receive more than one at once, but will do
so for this distinguished company, if they wish?"

"Ahem!" said Leslie, involuntarily pulling up his collar at the words
"distinguished company," while "Good gracious--how did they know that
_we_ were coming?" was the exclamation of Joe, to Bell, _sotto voce_.

"Oh, let us all go in together," said Bell, who probably had less
suspicion of a secret that could possibly be awkward of disclosure, in
her own breast, than either of her companions.

"No, I think not," said Joe. "You may have nothing to conceal, Bell, but
I have--lots of things; and though I may be willing to have the French
woman drain me dry, like a pump, I do not know that I shall offer _you_
the same privilege."

"No, on the whole, decidedly not," said Leslie. "Of course, ladies,
there is really nothing for the most timid to fear; and even if there
were, the two others will be in the room immediately adjoining.
Decidedly, if you are both willing, each had better tempt fate alone."

"And who will go in first, then?" asked Bell.

"Humph!" said Joe, "there _is_ a grave question. The decrees of fate
must not be tampered with, and the wrong one going in first might send
those 'stars' on which the witch depends, into most alarming collision."

"Easily arranged," said Leslie, drawing a handful of coin from his
pocket, handing one of the pieces to each of the girls, and retaining
one himself. "As fate is the deity to be consulted, let fate take care
of her own. The one who happens to hold the piece of oldest date shall
take the first chance, and the others will follow according to the same
rule. I have settled more than one important question of my life in this
manner, and I have