As
though to meet it a bell rang shrilly. Gaylor started and stood
with eyes fixed on the door of the bedroom. The three men eyed
each other guiltily.
The butler was the first to recover. With mask-like face he
hastened noiselessly across the room. In his tones of usual
authority, Gaylor stopped him.
"Tell Mr. Hallowell," he directed, "that his niece and District
Attorney Winthrop will be here any moment. Ask him if he wishes
me to see them, or if he will talk to them himself?"
When the faithful servant had entered the bedroom Gaylor turned
to Rainey.
"When do these mediums come today?" he asked.
Rainey stared sulkily at the floor.
"I think they're here now -- downstairs," he answered. Garrett
generally hides them there till you're out of the house."
"Indeed," commented Gaylor dryly. "After Winthrop and Miss
Coates have gone, I want to talk with your friends."
"Now, see here, Judge," whined Rainey; "don't make trouble. It
isn't as bad as you think. The old man's only investigating -- "
"Hush!" commanded the Judge.
From the bedroom, leaning on the butler's arm, Stephen
Hallowell came stumbling toward them and, with a sigh, sank into
an invalid's chair that was placed for him between the fire and
the long library table.. He was a very feeble, very old man,
with a white face, and thin, white hair, but with a mouth and
lower jaw as hard and uncompromising as those of a skull. His
eyes, which were strangely brilliant and young-looking, peered
suspiciously from under ragged white eyebrows.
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