"You say the envelope was addressed to my uncle?"
"Yes. It gave me such a turn to see those letters all addressed to a man who wasn't alive to——"
"Oh, what does it all mean?" cried the girl.
"We are going to find out," said McPherson with sudden determination. "Kathrien, draw those window shades close. I want the room darkened as much as possible."
"Oh, Doctor," protested Mrs. Batholommey as Kathrien hastened to obey, "you're surely not going to——?"
"Be quiet. You needn't stay unless you want to."
"Oh, I'll stay. It's my duty. But I don't approve. Please understand that."
Kathrien had returned to her place by the fire and had lifted Willem back on her lap. The doctor, gazing into space, said in a low, reverential tone:
"Peter Grimm! If you have come back to us, if you are in this room—if this boy has spoken truly,—give us some sign, some indication——"
"Why, Andrew, I can't," answered the Dead Man. "Not to you. I have, to the boy. I can't make you hear me, Andrew. The obstacles are too strong for me."