"And you play with me--taunt me!"

"The remedy is in your hands."

"For the last time, I tell you I will never do it! Never, never,
never!"

"Then why do you complain? If you cannot afford to pay for your
amusements, and you refuse to compromise in a simple manner, why do
you approach me?"

"Oh, my God!" She moaned and swayed dizzily--"have pity on me! Who are
you, what are you, that you can bring ruin on a woman because--" She
uttered a choking sound, but continued hoarsely, "Raise your head. Let
me see your face. As heaven is my witness, I am ruined--ruined!"

"Tomorrow--"

"I cannot wait for tomorrow--"

That quivering, hoarse cry betrayed a condition of desperate febrile
excitement. Mrs. Irvin was capable of proceeding to the wildest
extremities. Clearly the mysterious Egyptian recognized this to be the
case, for slowly raising his hand:

"I will communicate with you," he said, and the words were spoken
almost hurriedly. "Depart in peace--"; a formula wherewith he
terminated every seance. He lowered his hand.