of a photograph."

"Bless my soul! It beats the Chinese jugglers! What a curious thing!"

"Stand back a little; you obstruct the light. Now, how clearly it comes
out."

Printed apparently on the plush background, like the images in a
camera, were the distinctly outlined and almost life-size figures of
two men. Clad in a long gown, with loose sleeves, Gen'l Darrington
stood near the hearth, brandishing the brass unicorn in one hand, the
other thrown out and clinched; the face rather more than profile,
scarcely three-quarters, was wonderfully distinct, and the hair much
dishevelled. In front was the second portrait, that of a tall, slender
young man who appeared to have suddenly wheeled around from the open
vault, turning his countenance fully to view; while he threw up a dark,
square object to ward off the impending blow. A soft wool hat pushed
back, showed the curling hair about his temples, and the remarkable
regularity of his handsome features; while even the plaid pattern of
his short coat was clearly discernible.

As the attorneys came closer, or stepped back from the door, the images
seemed to vary in distinctness, and viewed from two angles they became
invisible.

Mr. Churchill stared blankly; Mr. Dunbar's gaze was riveted on the face
of the burglar, and he took his underlip between his teeth, as was his
habit in suppressing emotion.

"Of course there is some infernal trick about this; but how do you
account for it? It is beyond Bedney's sleight of hand," said the
District Solicitor.

"I think I understand how it came here. Bedney, go around and open the
library door leading into this room, and loop back the curtain for a
moment."

"No, sir, Mars Lennox. Forty railroad ingines couldn't pull me in there
alive. I wouldn't dar tamper with ole Marster's ghost; not for all the
money in the bank. Go yourself; I doesn't budge on no sech bizness as
prying and spying amongst the sperrits. It would fling me into a fit."

"You miserable coward. Is the house open? Where is the key of this
room?"

"Hanging on the horseshoe under my chimbly board. I'll fetch it and
unlock the front door, so you kin git in, and hold your inquess inside."

"Will you go, Churchill, or shall I?"

"What is your idea?"

"To ascertain whether the images are on the glass, as I believe, and if
they can be seen without the background. Stand just here--and watch.
When I pull back the curtain, tell me the effect."

Some moments later, t