"Yes,—and," here Peter made a bold stroke, "I know who is giving you things to 'materialize,' and why, and I want to know how much you are being paid, in order that I may offer you more to follow my directions."
"I do not acknowledge that you are right——" she began, but Peter interrupted:
"You needn't; your expression, your countenance tells me all I want of acknowledgment. Now, listen to reason. I only want one séance, conducted according to my orders, and I'll pay you what you demand. Your other patron needn't know anything about my hand in the matter."
"I refuse your requests, sir. I resent your accusations, and unless you leave here at once, I shall call——"
"Oh, no, you won't call the police, or any one else. You would greatly object to an investigation of your place here, and you and I know why. You'll do much better, madame, to listen to my proposition, and accept it. You see,— I know!"
The mysterious tone Peter used seemed to carry conviction, and with a little shudder, Madame Parlato gave in.
"What do you want?" she asked, tremulously; "what do you intend to do?"
"I intend to do a great many things," Peter replied, gravely, "but I want very little. Only that you shall conduct a séance, at the time I set and entirely in accordance with my orders."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I shall feel it my duty to expose you as a fraud and a charlatan."