"Yes. They wish to kill her to get her money. The handsome woman has her will leaving her everything if she dies."
"But will they really kill her?" insisted Bosio, half breathless in his fear and nervous excitement.
The spirit voice did not answer. In the silence Bosio heard Giuditta
Astarita's breathing opposite to him.
"Will they really kill her?" he asked again.
Still there was silence, and Bosio held his breath. Then Giuditta spoke hoarsely.
"The spirit is gone," she said. "He will not answer any more questions to-day."
"Can you not call it back?" asked Bosio, anxiously, and peering into the blackness before him, as though hoping to see something.
"No. When he is gone he never comes back for the same person. He answered you many things, Signore. You must have patience."
He heard her rise, and a moment later the light dazzled him as he looked up and met her china blue eyes. He was dazed as well as dazzled, for there had been an extraordinary directness and accuracy about the few questions and answers he had heard in the clear voice which was so utterly unlike Giuditta's, though quite human and natural. He was certain that he had not heard the door open after she had drawn the curtains. He looked about the scantily furnished room, in search of some corner in which some third person might have been hidden. Giuditta Astarita's chronic smile was momentarily intensified.
"There was no one else here," she said, answering his unspoken question.
"You heard the spirit's voice through my ears."