e and turned eastward.

In the course of twenty minutes they crossed railroad tracks and entered
the shady streets of the village, Bessie directing the old man where to
drive. Presently they came to the entrance of what appeared to be an
extensive estate. Back among the trees glimmered the lights of a house.
"Turn in," said Bessie.

A thought struck Orme. If Poritol, why not the Japanese? Maku and his
friends might easily have got back to this place. And if the minister had
been able to telephone to his allies from Arradale, they would be
expecting him.

"Stop!" he whispered. "Let me out. You drive on to the door and wait
there for me."

Bessie nodded. She did not comprehend, but she accepted the situation
unhesitatingly.

Orme noted, by the light of the lamp at the gate, the shimmer of the veil
that was wound around her hat.

"Give me your veil," he said.

She withdrew the pins and unwound the piece of gossamer. He took it and
stepped to the ground, concealing himself among the trees that lined the
drive.

The buggy proceeded slowly. Orme followed afoot, on a parallel course,
keeping well back among the trees. At a certain point, after the buggy
passed, a figure stepped out into the drive, and stood looking after it.
From his build and the peculiar agility of his motions, he was
recognizable as Maku. Orme hunted about till he found a bush from which
he could quietly break a wand about six feet long. Stripping it of
leaves, he fastened the veil to one end of it and tip-toed toward the
drive.

The Japanese was still looking after the buggy, which had drawn up before
the house.

Suddenly, out of the darkness a sinuous gray form came floating toward
him. It wavered, advanced, halted, then seemed to rush. The seance the
afternoon was fresh in the mind of the Japanese. With screams of terror,
he turned and fled down the drive, while Orme, removing the veil from the
stick, moved on toward the house. Madame Alia's game certainly was
effective in dealing with Orientals.

A moment later Orme and Bessie had crossed the roomy veranda and were at
the door, while the old man, still grumbling, swung around the circle of
the drive and rattled away. Orme's heart was pounding. When the servant
answered the bell, he drew back and he did not hear the words which Bessie
spoke in a low voice. They were ushered into a wide reception-hall, and
the servant went to announce them.

"You wish to see her alone," said Bessie. "Go i