CHAPTER VI.
As regarded Lionel Varick, the second day of his house-party at Wyndfell Hall opened most inauspiciously, for, when approaching the dining-room, he became aware that the door was not really closed, and that Mr.
Burnaby and his niece were having what seemed to be an animated and even angry discussion.
"I don't like this place, and I don't care for your fine friend, Mr.
Varick--" Such was the very unpleasant observation which the speaker's unlucky host overheard.
There came instant silence when he pushed open the door, and Helen with heightened colour looked up, and exclaimed: "My uncle has to go back to London this morning.

Isn't it unfortunate?
He's had a letter from an old friend who hasn't been in England for some years, and he feels he must go up and spend Christmas with _him_, instead of staying with us here." Varick was much taken aback.

He didn't believe in the old friend.

His mind at once reverted to what had happened the night before.

It was the seance which had upset Mr.Burnaby--not a doubt of it! Without being exactly unpleasant, the guest's manner this morning was cold, very cold--and Varick himself was hard put to it to hide his annoyance.
He had taken a great deal of trouble in the last few months to conciliate this queer, disagreeable, rather suspicious old gentleman, and he had thought he had succeeded.