“What are you afraid of now?” he demanded. “If you’re not afraid of a district attorney, why are you afraid of a reporter?” “I’m not afraid of anybody,” returned Rainey, thickly. “But, I don’t mean to be a party to no murder!” He paused, shaking his head portentously. “That man in there,” he whispered, nodding toward the bedroom, “is in no condition to go through this. After that shock this morning, and last night--it’ll kill him. His heart’s rotten, I tell you, rotten!” Garrett snarled contemptuously. “How do you know?” he demanded. “How do I know?” returned Rainey, fiercely. “I was four years in a medical college, when you were in jail, you--” “Stop that!” cried Gaylor. Glancing fearfully toward the open door, he interposed between them. “Don’t take my advice, then,” cried Rainey. “Go on! Kill him! And he won’t sign your will. Only, don’t say I didn’t tell you.” “Have you told him?” demanded Gaylor. “Yes,” Rainey answered stoutly. “Told him if he didn’t stop this, he wouldn’t live till morning.” “Are we forcing him to do this?” demanded Gaylor. “No! He’s forcing it on us. My God!” he exclaimed, “do you think I want this farce? You say, yourself, you told him it would kill him, and he will go on with it. Then why do you blame us? Can we help ourselves?” The butler had distinguished the sounds of footsteps in the hall. He fell hastily to rearranging the camp chairs. “Hush!” he warned. “Look out!” Gaylor and Rainey had but time to move apart, when Winthrop entered. He regarded the three men with a smile of understanding. “I beg pardon,” he exclaimed, “I am interrupting?” Gaylor greeted him with exaggerated heartiness. “Ah, it is Mr. Winthrop!” he cried. “Have you come to help us find out the truth this evening?” “I certainly hope not!” said Winthrop brusquely. “I know the truth about too many people already.” He turned to Garrett, who, unobtrusively, was endeavoring to make his escape. “I want to see Miss Vera,” he said. “Miss Vera,” interposed Gaylor. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. She especially asked not to be disturbed before the seance. I’m sorry.” Winthrop’s manner became suspiciously polite. “Yes?” he inquired. “Well, nevertheless I think I’ll ask her. Tell Miss Vera, please,” he said to Garrett, “that Mr. Winthrop would like a word with her here,” with significance he added, “in private.” In offended dignity, Judge Gaylor moved toward the door. “Dr. Rainey,” he said stiffly, “will you please inform Mr. Hallowell that his guests are now here, and that I have gone to bring them upstairs.” “Yes, but you won’t bring them upstairs, please,” said Winthrop, “until you hear from me.” Gaylor flushed with anger and for a moment appeared upon the point of mutiny. Then, as though refusing to consider himself responsible for the manners of the younger man, he shrugged his shoulders and left the room. With even less of consideration than he had shown to Judge Gaylor, Winthrop turned upon Rainey.