time that morning he
could not speak. Cabot laughed.

"It's all right, Pulcifer," he said, reassuringly. "You won't have to
worry about the Development matter any longer. I'll handle the rest of
it. Oh, you did your best. I'm not blaming you. I'll see that you get a
fair return, even if you couldn't quite deliver. But you must keep still
about the whole thing, of course."

Raish breathed heavily. Slowly the icy fingers ceased trifling with
his spine and that backbone began to develop--quoting Miss Phipps'
description--at least one new joint to every foot. He suppled visibly.
He expressed himself with feeling. He begged the honor of shaking hands
with the great man from Boston. Then he shook hands with Galusha and
Miss Phipps. If Primmie had been present doubtless he would have
shaken hands with her. When Cabot suggested that the interview had best
terminate, he agreed with unction and oozed, rather than walked, through
that doorway. Watching from the window, they saw him stop when he
reached the road, draw a long breath, take a cigar from his pocket,
light it, hitch his cap a trifle to one side, and stride away, a moving
picture of still unshaken and serene self-confidence.

Cabot laughed delightedly. "That fellow is a joy forever," he declared.
"He's one of the seven wonders of the world."

Martha sniffed. "Then the world better keep a sharp watch on the other
six," was her comment. "I wouldn't trust Raish Pulcifer alone
with Bunker Hill monument--not if 'twas a dark night and he had a
wheelbarrow."

Lulie came rushing from the sitting room. She had heard all the
Pulcifer-Bangs' dialogue and her one desire was to thank Galusha. But
Galusha was not present. While Martha and Mr. Cabot were at the window
watching the departure of Raish, the little man had left the room.

"But I must see him," cried Lulie. "Oh, Martha, just think! He is
responsible for EVERYTHING. Not only for sending father the Psychical
Society books, but for planning all that happened at the seance. You
heard what Raish said. He said that Mr. Bangs put him up to bribing
Marietta to pretend getting the message ordering father to sell his
stock. Why, if that is true--and, of course, it must be--and if--if
Nelson and I should--if it SHOULD end right for us--why, Martha, he will
be the one who made it possible. Oh, do you believe he did plan it, as
Raish said?"

Martha nodded and turned away. "He seems to have spent most of his time
plannin' for o