"You're all interested, are you not?" he went on, turning to the various attentive faces, and receiving nods and words of assent.
"Then I'll go on," and he glanced at Julie, who sat still, controlling her expression of face but with tumult in her heart.
"Take it easy," Shelby whispered to her, "you'd better hear it, you know, whatever it's all about."
"The lady," Crane said, "is a medium, well recommended by members of the Society for Psychical Research, and by individuals who have been her clients."
"What sort of recommendations does she offer?" asked an interested voice, "letters?"
The speaker was McClellan Thorpe, a friend of Blair's, who shared a studio with him.
Thorpe was frankly skeptical, but by no means controversial. He asked his question in an honest desire to know of the credentials.
"Yes," returned Crane, "letters from many well-known Spiritists, Psychics, Scientists and plain citizens, who are enthusiastic and sincere in their praise of this lady."
"What's her name?" asked Mrs. Crane, who, it was plain to be seen, fairly hung upon her husband's words.
"Madame Parlato," returned Crane. "She is no fraud, no charlatan, but a refined, gracious lady, whose sympathies are as wonderful as her occult gifts."