Mr. Lee," she added dryly,
"believes even less than I do."
"Then it will be all the more of a triumph, if we convince him,"
declared Hallowell. "Understand, young man," he proclaimed
loudly, "I am not a spiritualist. I am merely conducting an
investigation. I want the truth. If you, or my niece, detect any
fraud tonight, I want to know it." Including in his speech the
others in the room, he glared suspiciously in turn at each.
"Keep your eyes open," he ordered, "you will be serving me quite
as much as you will Miss Coates."
Miss Coates and Lee thanked him and, recognizing themselves as
the opposition and in the minority, withdrew for consultation
into a corner of the bay window.
Vance approached Mr. Hallowell.
"If you are ready," he said, "we will examine the cabinet. Shall
I wheel it over here, or will you look at it where it is?"
"If it is to be in that corner during the seance," declared Mr.
Hallowell, "I'll look at it where it is."
As he struggled from his chair, he turned to Mrs. Marsh, and
nodded his head knowingly. "You see, Mrs. Marsh," he said, "I am
taking no chances."
"That is quite right, Mr. Hallowell," purred the old lady. "If
there be any doubt in your mind, you must get rid of it, or we
will have no results."
With a dramatic gesture, Vance swept aside from the opening in
the cabinet the black velvet curtain. "It's a simple affair," he
said indifferently. "As you see, it's open at the top and
bottom.
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