"I'm glad you like it here," he said, in answer to her repeated admiration of his home, "for I suspect you'll have to stay here for the present. The city is passing through one of those moral paroxysms which come once in a year or two. Last year it was the social evil; just now it concerns itself with what the reformers are pleased to call 'the occult fakers.' The feeling of a jury would be against you at present, and as I have promised Mrs. Joyce to take charge of your defense, I think it well for you to go into retirement here while I take time to inform myself of the case." "I do not like to trouble you." "It is no trouble, my dear madam. Here is this big home, empty and completely manned. A couple of guests, especially a hearty young man, will be a godsend to my cook. She complains of not having men to feed. Don't let any question of expense to me trouble you." "Thank you most deeply." "Don't thank me; thank Louise Joyce, who is both client and friend, and the one to whom I owe this pleasure." He bowed. "I never before had the opportunity of entertaining a 'psychic,' and I welcome the opportunity." She did not quite know how to take him, and neither did Victor; and perceiving that doubt, Bartol added: "I am quite sincere in all this. I hear a good deal, obscurely, of this curious phase of human life, but never before have I been confronted by one who claims the power of divination." "Pardon me, sir, I do not claim such power." "Do you not! I thought that was precisely your claim." "No, sir, I am a medium. I report what is given to me. I divine nothing of myself. I am an instrument through which those whom men call 'the dead' speak." "I see," he mused. "I will not deceive you," he began again, very gravely. "This charge against you is likely to prove serious, and you must be quite frank with me. I may require a test of your powers." "I am at your service, sir. Make any test of me you please--this moment if you like." "I will not require anything of you to-night. Writers tell me that 'mediums' are a dark, elusive, and uncanny set, Mrs. Ollnee, and I must confess that you upset my preconceptions." "There are all kinds of mediums, as there are all kinds of lawyers, Mr. Bartol. I am human, like the others." "If you will permit me, I will take up your defense along the lines of hypnotic control on the part of this man Pettus." "I cannot presume to advise you, sir, but you must know that to me these Voices come from the spirit world. I am the transmitter merely--for instance, at this moment I hear a Voice and I see behind you the form of a lady, a lovely young woman--" "Mother!" called Victor, warningly. "Don't start in on that!" "Proceed," said Bartol; "I am interested."