"Carl," she said, "it is only right I should warn you. Some weeks ago I saw in the crystal the face of a man whom I did not know. I saw it again and again--and always the same scene. Then I saw you at the Opera last week, and Sullivan introduced you as his cousin that he talks about sometimes. Did you notice that night that I behaved rather queerly?" "Yes." I spoke shortly. "You are the man whom I saw in the crystal." "Really?" I ejaculated, smiling, or at least trying to smile. "And what is the scene of which I am part?" "You are standing--But no!" She abruptly ceased speaking and coughed, clearing her throat, and she fixed her large eyes on me. Outside I could hear the distant strain of the orchestra, and the various noises of a great crowd of people. But this little dark room, with its sharply defined oval of light, was utterly shut off from the scene of gaiety. I was aware of an involuntary shiver, and for the life of me I could not keep my gaze steadily on the face of the tall woman who sat so still, with such impressiveness, on the other side of the table. I waited for her to proceed, and after what seemed a long interval she spoke again: "You aren't afraid, are you?" she demanded. "Of course I'm not." "Then you shall look into the crystal and try to see what I saw. I will not tell you. You shall try to see for yourself. You may succeed, if I help you. Now, try to free your mind from every thought, and look earnestly. Look!" I drew the globe towards me from under her fingers. "Rum!" I murmured to myself. Then I strenuously fixed my eyes on the glinting depths of the crystal, full of strange, shooting fires; but I could see nothing whatever. "No go!" I said. "You'll have to tell me what you saw." "Patience. There is time yet. Look again. Take my hand in your right hand." I obeyed, and we sat together in the tense silence. After a few minutes, the crystal darkened and then slowly cleared. I trembled with an uneasy anticipation. "You see something," she breathed sorrowfully in my ear. "Not yet, not yet," I whispered. "But it is coming. Yes, I see myself, and--and--a woman--a very pretty woman. I am clasping her hand." "Don't you recognize the woman?" Again Emmeline's voice vibrated like a lamentation in my ear. I did recognize the woman, and the sweat stood on my brow. "It is Rosetta Rosa!" "And what else do you see?" my questioner pursued remorselessly. "I see a figure behind us," I stammered, "but what figure I cannot make out. It is threatening me. It is threatening me! It is a horrible thing. It will kill me! Ah--!" I jumped up with a nervous movement. The crystal, left to itself, rolled off the table to the floor, and fell with a thud unbroken on the soft carpet. And I could hear the intake of Emmeline's breath. At that moment the double portiere was pulled apart, and some one stood there in the red light from the Japanese lantern.