"I don't know what you mean," he said.
"My informant tells me," continued the reporter, "that Mr.
Hallowell has embraced -- if that's what you call it --
spiritualism."
Gaylor started forward.
"What!" he roared.
Unmoved, the other regarded the Judge keenly.
"Spiritualism," he repeated, "and that a bunch of these mediums
have got him so hypnotized he can't call his soul his own, or
his money, either. Is that true?"
Judge Gaylor's outburst was overwhelming. That it was genuine
Mr. Lee, observing him closely, was convinced.
"Of all the outrageous, ridiculous" -- the judge halted, gasping
for words -- "and libelous statements!" he went on. "If you
print that," he thundered, "Mr. Hallowell will sue your paper
for half a million dollars. Can't you see the damage you would
do? Can't your people see that if the idea got about that he was
unable to direct his own affairs, that he was in the hands of
mediums, it would invalidate everything he does? After his
death, every act of his at this time, every paper he had signed,
would be suspected, and -- and" -- stammered the Judge as his
imagination pictured what might follow -- "they might even
attack his will!" He advanced truculently. "Do you mean to
publish this libel?"
Lee moved his shoulders in deprecation. "I'm afraid we must," he
said.
"You must!" demanded Gaylor. "After what I've told you? Do you
think I'm lying to you?"
"No," said the reporter; "I don't think you are.
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