In his most courteous manner Judge Gaylor offered the chair at the head of the centre table to Vera, and at the same table seated himself. Vance took a place on the piano stool; Rainey stood with his back to the mantel piece. “Miss Vera,” Gaylor began impressively, “I desire to apologize for my language this morning. As Rainey no doubt has told you, I have opposed you and Professor Vance. But I--I know when I’m beaten. Your influence with Mr. Hallowell today--is greater than mine. It is paramount. I congratulate you.” He smiled ingratiatingly. “And now,” he added, “we are all working in unison.” “You’ve given up your idea of sending me to jail,” said Vera. “Vera!” exclaimed Vance reprovingly. “Judge Gaylor has apologized. We’re all in harmony now.” “Is that door locked?” asked Gaylor. Vance told him, save Mrs. Vance, Mannie, and themselves, there was none in the house; and that he might speak freely. “Miss Vera,” began the Judge, “we left Mr. Hallowell very much impressed with the message you gave him this morning. The message from his dead sister. He wants another message from her. He wants her to decide how he shall dispose of a very large sum of money--his entire fortune.” “His entire fortune!” exclaimed Vera. “Do you imagine,” she asked, “that Mr. Hallowell will take advice from the spirit world about that? I don’t!” “I do,” Gaylor answered stoutly, “I know I would.” “You?” asked Vera incredulously. “If I could believe my sister came from the dead to tell me what to do,” said the lawyer, “of course, I’d do it. I’d be afraid not to. But I don’t believe he does. And he believes you can bring his sister herself before him. He insists that tonight you hold a seance in his house, and that you materialize the spirit of his dead sister. So that he can see his sister, and talk with his sister. Vance says you can do that. Can you?” From Vera’s face the look of girlishness, of happy anticipation, had already disappeared. “It is my business to do that,” the girl answered. She turned to Vance and, in a matter-of-fact voice, inquired, “What does his sister look like--that photograph we used this morning?” “No,” Vance answered. “I’ve a better one, Rainey gave me. Taken when she was older. Has white hair and a cap and a kerchief crossed--so.” He drew his hands across his shoulders. “Rainey, show Miss Vera that picture.” “Not now,” Gaylor commanded. “The important thing now is that Miss Vera understands the message Mr. Hallowell is to receive from his sister.” The two other men nodded quickly in assent. Gaylor turned to Vera. He spoke slowly, earnestly.