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"Well," said the old gentleh when I tell you that I--I as a spiritualist for ten years--have never seen a erous subject than Mr Baxter? Is the risk worth it? Lady Laura, do you quite understand what you are doing?"

He leaned forward a little; and again she felt anxiety, sickening and horrible, surge within her Yet, on the other hand

The door opened suddenly, and Mr Vincent caentleman turned round, and in an instant was on his feet, quiet, but with an air of bristling about his thrust-out chin and his tense attitude

Mr Vincent paused, looking fro your pardon, Lady Laura," he said courteously "Your man told me to wait here; I think he did not know you had coan Lady Laura "Why, do you know Mr Vincent?" she asked suddenly, startled by the expression in the old gentleman's face

"I used to know Mr Vincent," he said shortly

"You have the advantage offorward to the fire

"My name is Cathcart, sir"

The other started, almost imperceptibly

"Ah! yes," he said quietly "We did meet a few times, I remember"

Lady Laura was conscious of distinct relief at the interruption: it seemed to her a providential escape fro o, Mr Vincent We had finished our talk"

"Lady Laura," said the old gentleive me ten minutes more private conversation"

She hesitated, clearly foreseeing trouble either way Then she decided

"There is no necessity today," she said "If you care to make an appointment for one day next week, Mr Cathcart--"

"I am to understand that you refuse me a few minutes now?"

"There is no necessity that I can see--"

"Then I must say what I have to say before Mr Vincent--"

"One ht air of imperiousness that Lady Laura knew very well by now "If Lady Laura consents to hear you, Ioffensive is said" He glanced as if for leave towards the woman

She made an effort