Parkins' eyes blazed with a mad light in each and his breath smelled of drugs. In his rage he had thwarted his own plans and now comprehended to the full extent the mess he had made of them. He demanded privacy from the servants that he might clothe himself and be ready to take his leave by first conveyance. He also demanded that Villard remain with him for a conference, which was granted. Once the door was shut against all witnesses, Parkins sat upon the edge of the bed and cried like a child. "There is nothing I can say to remove the prejudice I must have aroused within you, Drury. Of course you will acquit me of bad intentions. It must have been a nightmare," he whimpered. The bravado had entirely gone out of the Parkins' voice. Several moments elapsed as Villard eyed him carefully. "Just what did you see, William? Tell me exactly what caused your fright." Villard's words were measured. They lacked warmth, a fact that Parkins could not have failed to take into account. "Some one stood by my bedside--a woman's form--not in the flesh----" "Yes--go on!" "It stood there, motionless, and the room became as cold as ice. I tried to shout but my voice refused to respond. All I could do was to gasp for breath!" "How long did the apparition remain in view?" demanded Villard, his eyes gleaming his disgust toward Parkins. "A half minute or a minute--seemed like an hour!" he replied, his teeth chattering from sheer fright. "Did the Spirit talk--say anything at all?" "Not a word--just held up a hand as if warning me of something----" "Ah! there I have it," broke in Villard. "You were warned that your plans were known to me. And that is true. You have lost your soul, William, and were you to die without repentance, it would roam through the ages, lost to all chance of redemption." "But I don't owe repentance to any dam'd spook! I----" "Enough of that, sir!" snapped Villard wrathfully. "I'll have no nonsense of that sort! Another insult and your baggage will await you at the carriage entrance." "But, Drury----" "Hereafter you will address me as Mister Villard. Our intimacy is at an end!" warned the Master of Dreamy Hollow. His eyes blazed as he glared at the man on whom he had showered his trust and esteem. "To-morrow morning you will return to New York. By the time you reach there I shall have made up my mind as to your future usefulness to the company." Having delivered this ultimatum Villard on second thought punched the button for Jerry, a colored servant, long in his employ. He responded at once. "Send Santzi to me," said he,--"and return with him. I have duties for both of you. Also arouse the housekeeper and tell her to provide tea and toast immediately for a departing guest." When Santzi, the Japanese body-servant to Drury Villard, presented himself a few moments later he was told to order out the limousine and prepare to accompany Mr. Parkins to New York.