"Let's change the subject." Evelyn laughed self-consciously. "It's so far-fetched; it's getting a bit on my nerves." Even as she spoke she knew that Simec had resumed his seat, although he had made no sound and her eyes were upon her husband. She was thus not surprised to hear his voice. "I gather, then," he said, as though picking up a conversational thread, "that there are two of you who would be willing to make the gift of sacrifice--Colcord and Bates." His manner was such as to draw them all from their mood of idle, comfortable speculation to rigidity. Turning to him, searching him, they saw, as it seemed to them, a new being divested of vagueness--dominant, commanding, remorseless. Sitting rigid, his thin, hairy neck stretched outward, he suggested some sinister bird of prey. Thus poised for an instant he regarded the two men whom he had named. "Suppose," he proceeded, "that I could make this absurd condition--as Bates terms it--exist. Would you gentlemen still hold your position? Believe me, I ask this in the utmost good faith--" Evelyn Colcord spoke before either man could make reply. "Nick, this is getting a bit unpleasant, really." She laughed nervously. "Don't you think we could turn to something more cheerful? I adore a joke--" "But this is not a joke, Mrs. Colcord," rejoined Simec gravely. "Well, in any event--" began Evelyn, but her husband interrupted. "I told you I was on record, Simec," he said. "You show me a way to end this carnival of murder--and I'm your man." "I, too." Bates chuckled. "Perhaps, after all, we've been dining closer to the supernatural than we realized. Well, I'm game. Life, after all, is only a few more summers and a few more winters, even if we live it out. Go to it, Simec." There was sort of a reckless ring in the writer's voice which was taken as a sign that he was seriously impressed. But Bates would be; he had imagination and was temperamental. "I wish you all would stop." Bessie Dane's voice was childishly plaintive. "Nick, please!" cried Evelyn. "This is not at all funny." "I don't see the joke, I must confess," grumbled Allison. Evelyn wished that Latham or his wife would add weight to the protest, but they remained silent, staring curiously at the inventor, as, indeed, they had throughout. Now she thought of it, she realized that the two had remained practically aloof from the discussion that had preceded Simec's _denouement_. "I'm afraid, Simec," said Colcord crisply, "that we're getting a bit unpopular. We'd better drop the subject. It was rather a cheap play, I'll admit, stacking myself up as a martyr in a wholly impossible situation. You called me--and Bates there--rather cleverly.... The drinks are on us.... At the same time I meant what I said, even if it was far-fetched; I mean I was sincere." Simec threw out his arm in a long, bony gesture. "I am perfectly convinced of that. That is why I am going to ask you to make your offer good."