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And what she heard made her blood run cold

Mme Dauvray spoke in a hushed, awestruck voice

"There is a presence in the room"

It was horrible to Celia that the poor woht to her

"I will speak to it," said M her voice a

little, she asked: "Who are you that come to us from the spirit-

world?"

No answer came, but all the while Celia knew that Wether noiselessly across the floor towards that voice which

spoke this professional patter with so simple a solemnity

"Answer!" she said And the next moment she uttered a little

shrill cry--a cry of enthusiasers touch my forehead--now

they touch my cheek--now they touch my throat!"

And upon that the voice ceased But a dry, choking sound was

heard, and a horrible scuffling and tapping of feet upon the

polished floor, a soundan old, kind woirl strained and twisted against the pillar

furiously, like an animal in a trap But the coils of rope held

her; the scarf suffocated her The scuffling became a spasether A voice

spoke--a nised it--it had so shrill and fearful an intonation

"That's horrible," he said, and his voice suddenly rose to a

scream