Theodore wheeled to face her. "It is a brutal thing for a man to say to a woman, is it not?" he asked derisively; "and if Mara loved me, I would not say what I have said. But she hates me, as you can see." "I don't hate you!" put in Mara. "I am merely indifferent to you! Besides, as you said just now, you only want the property." "Yes, I do," declared Dane boldly; "and I only put into words what other people think. I wish to have this house all to myself." "Why this house particularly?" asked Patricia, after a pause. "Because it is so secluded, and so safe for my purpose." "What is your purpose?" "I wish to continue my occult studies. I wish to get others to join me so that we may form a school. If I teach what I have learned to others, we can create a power which will be able to dominate the world. Here," he grew excited and seemed to swell with arrogance, "in this hidden spot, and by the exercise of certain powers, it is possible to sway the minds of men at a distance. The Wisdom of Solomon is no fable, Miss Carrol." "And for that reason," said Mara, in her cold, unemotional voice, "you will not be permitted to acquire it." "I know much," retorted Dane, still bulking hugely in the shadows, "and as time goes on I shall know more." "The time is very short now," whispered Mara. Patricia, peering through the soft twilight, saw the big man's face suddenly grow white. He moved, soft-footed as a cat, to the girl's side. "Mara," he breathed, and his voice was sick with terror, "do you see danger?" "Great danger, and very near." "What is it? Where is it? Look and see!" He raised his hands and made a pass before her face. Mara slipped from between him and the table like an eel. "I won't submit to your experiments," she said angrily. "Father told you that you were not to worry me." "But the danger?" faltered Theodore, who seemed to be quite unnerved. "I can sense it, but I cannot see it," said Mara, wearily; "and all this talk makes me tired." She walked across to the other arm-chair and sank down into its depths gladly. "I am glad that Basil will soon be here." "When do you expect him?" asked Patricia, anxious to turn the conversation, which had taken a mystical turn of which she did not approve. "He may be here at any minute. Father said that he received a letter by the mid-day post. I like Basil; I love Basil, and I am glad he is coming." "Let us ask Mr. Colpster when he will arrive," said Patricia, rising. She moved two steps towards the door, but before she could reach it, Theodore had placed himself before her. "Don't go, Miss Carrol," he entreated, "just wait for a few minutes. Perhaps you don't like the darkness, so I shall light the lamp." He walked towards the tall brass pedestal. "You need not be in a hurry, Patricia," said the voice of Mara out of the gloom, "it will be an hour before Basil appears."