"If you would rather
find out you were ill from the newspapers than from the spirit
world," she inquired, "why do you ask me here?"
"I ask you here, young woman," exclaimed Hallowell, sinking back
in his chair, "because I hoped you would tell me something I
can't learn from the newspapers. But you haven't been able to do
it yet. My dear young lady," exclaimed the old man wistfully, "I
want to believe, but I must be convinced. No tricks with me! I
can explain how you might have found out everything you have
told me. Give me a sign!" He beat the flat of his hand upon the
table. "Show me something I can't explain!"
"Mr. Hallowell is quite right, Vera," said Vance. "He is
entering what is to him a new world, full of mysteries, and that
caution which in this world has made him so successful -- "
With an exclamation, Hallowell cut short the patter of the
showman.
"Yes, yes," he interrupted petulantly; "I tell you, I want to
believe. Convince me."
Considering the situation with pursed lips and thoughtful eyes,
Vera gazed at the old man, frowning. Finally she asked, "Have
you witnessed out demonstrations of mind reading?"
Mr. Hallowell snorted. "Certainly not," he replied; "it's a
trick!"
"A trick!" cried the girl indignantly, "to read a man's mind --
to see right through your forehead, through your skull, into
your brain? Is that a trick?" She turned sharply to Vance. "Show
him!" she commanded; "show him!" She crossed rapidly to the
window and stood looking down into the street, with her back to
the room.
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