a
woman.

Vance picked it up, holding it close to him.

"What have I here, Vera?" he asked.

Hallowell, seeing what Vance held in his hand, leaned forward. "Put that
down!" he commanded. But Vera had already begun to answer.

"A picture, a picture of a young woman. Ask him to think of who it is
and I will tell him."

At the words Mr. Hallowell hesitated, frowned, and then nodded.

"It is his sister," called Vera. "Her name was--I seem to get a
Catherine--yes, that's it; Catherine Coates. She is no longer with
us. She passed into the spirit world three years ago." The girl turned
suddenly and approached the table, holding her head high, as though
offended.

"How do you explain that trick?" she demanded.

Mr. Hallowell moved uneasily in his chair. "Oh, the picture's been on my
desk each time you'verings into her
fingers.

"What sort?"--whispered the old man. "What sort of a woman?"

With eyes still closed, swaying slightly and with abrupt shudders
running down her body, the girl continued in dull, fateful tones.

"She is a fair woman; about forty-five. She is speaking. She calls to
you, Brother, brother." Vera's voice rose excitedly. "It is the woman
in the picture; your sister! Catherine! I see it written above her
head--Catherine. In letters of light." She turned suddenly and fiercely.
"Ask her your question!" she commanded. "Ask her your question, now!"

By the sudden swaying forward of Vance and Rainey, in the intent look
in their eyes, it was evident that a crisis had approached. But Mr.
Hallowell, terrified and trembling, shrank back. His voice broke
hysterically. "No, no!" he pleaded. Both anger and disappointment showed
in the face of Vance