"When you said," he stammered eagerly, "that the spirit of your
mother was guiding you, what did you mean?"
In the doorway, Rainey and the butler started. Each threw the
other a quick glance of concern.
"Why," exclaimed the girl impatiently, "her influence, her
example, what she taught me."
"Oh!" exclaimed the old man. He leaned back with an air almost
of disappointment.
"When she was alive?" he said.
"Of course," answered the girl.
"Of course," repeated the uncle. "I thought you meant -- " He
looked suspiciously at her and shook his head. "Never mind," he
added. "Well," he went on cynically, striving to cover up the
embarrassment of the moment, "your mother's spirit will probably
feel as deep an interest in her brother as in her daughter. We
shall see, we shall see which of us two she is going to help."
He turned to Garrett and Rainey in the hall. "Take my niece to
the door, Garrett," he directed.
As soon as Miss Coates had disappeared, Hallowell turned to
Rainey, his face lit with pleased and childish anticipation.
"Well," he whispered eagerly, "is she here?"
Rainey nodded and glanced in the direction opposite to the one
Miss Coates had taken. "She's been waiting half an hour. And the
Professor too."
"Bring them at once," commanded Mr. Hallowell excitedly. "And
then shut the door -- and -- and tell the Judge I can't see him
-- tell him I'm too tired to see him. Understand?"
Rainey peered cautiously over the railing of the stairs to the
first floor, and then beckoned to some one who apparently was
waiting at the end of the hall.
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