"Yes," Rainey answered stoutly. "Told him if he didn't stop
this, he wouldn't live till morning."
"Are we forcing him to do this?" demanded Gaylor. "No! He's
forcing it on us. My God!" he exclaimed, "do you think I want
this farce? You say, yourself, you told him it would kill him,
and he will go on with it. Then why do you blame us? Can we help
ourselves?"
The butler had distinguished the sounds of footsteps in the
hall. He fell hastily to rearranging the camp chairs.
"Hush!" he warned. "Look out!" Gaylor and Rainey had but time to
move apart, when Winthrop entered. He regarded the three men
with a smile of understanding.
"I beg pardon," he exclaimed, "I am interrupting?"
Gaylor greeted him with exaggerated heartiness.
"Ah, it is Mr. Winthrop!" he cried. "Have you come to help us
find out the truth this evening?"
"I certainly hope not!" said Winthrop brusquely. "I know the
truth about too many people already." He turned to Garrett, who,
unobtrusively, was endeavoring to make his escape.
"I want to see Miss Vera," he said.
"Miss Vera," interposed Gaylor. "I'm afraid that's not possible.
She especially asked not to be disturbed before the seance. I'm
sorry."
Winthrop's manner became suspiciously polite.
"Yes?" he inquired. "Well, nevertheless I think I'll ask her.
Tell Miss Vera, please," he said to Garrett, "that Mr. Winthrop
would like a word with her here," with significance he added,
"in private.
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