everyone had now arrived, they should adjourn to the lounge hall.

Mrs. Trent held up a slender palm. "Did you, or did you not, give me
carte blanche, Montague?"

"Of course I did," said Faull, laughing. "But what's the matter?"

"Perhaps I have been rather presumptuous. I don't know. I have
invited a couple of friends to join us. No, no one knows them....
The two most extraordinary individuals you ever saw. And mediums, I
am sure."

"It sounds very mysterious. Who are these conspirators?"

"At least tell us their names, you provoking girl," put in Mrs.
Jameson.

"One rejoices in the name of Maskull, and the other in that of
Nightspore. That's nearly all that I know about them, so don't
overwhelm me with, any more questions."

"But where did you pick them up? You must have picked them up
somewhere."

"But this is a cross-examination. Have I sinned again convention?
I swear I will tell you not another word about them. They will be
here directly, and then I will deliver them to your tender mercy."

"I don't know them," said Faull, "and nobody else seems to, but, of
course, we will all be very pleased to have them.... Shall we wait,