"I cannot presume to advise you, sir, but you must know that to me these Voices come from the spirit world. I am the transmitter merely—for instance, at this moment I hear a Voice and I see behind you the form of a lady, a lovely young woman—"
"Mother!" called Victor, warningly. "Don't start in on that!"
"Proceed," said Bartol; "I am interested."
The psychic, leaning forward slightly, fixed her wide, deep-blue eyes upon him. "The maid conducted me to the room which had been your wife's, but I could not stay there. This lady who stands beside you took me by the hand and led me away to another room. She is nodding at me now."
"Do you mean the maid led you from the room?"
"No, I mean the spirit now standing behind you led me here. She says her name is Margaret Bartol. She said: 'Comfort my dear husband. Restore his faith.' She is smiling at me. She wants me to go on."
Bartol's face remained inscrutably calm. "Where does the form seem to be?"
"At your right shoulder. She says, 'Tell him Walter and Hattie are both with me.' She listened a moment. She says, 'Tell him Walter's mind is perfectly clear now.'"
Victor thought he saw the lawyer start in surprise, but his voice was cold as he said, "Go on."
"She says: 'Tell him the way is open. I am here. Ask him to speak to me.'"