"Well, I dunno." She pondered, eying her sitter closely. "Of course all things is possible to us, but sometimes the conditions ain't jest right and y'r c'ntrol can't git into rapport with them that has been gone more'n a few years. Now this thing you're after—I don't say it can't be done—f'r money."
"If I learned something good, I wouldn't care anything about the money," he ventured.
The Countess glanced up interestedly.
"That's the way to look at it, friend, but how much you got on you?"
"Twenty-two dollars," confessed Bean succinctly.
"Would you part from twenty, if you was told what you want to know?"
"Yes; I can't stand that other thing any longer."
The Countess narrowed her eyes briefly, then became animated.
"Say, listen here, friend! That's a little more delikit work than I been doin', but they's a party near here—lemme see" She passed one of the plump white hands over her brow in the throes of recollection. "I think his name is Professor Balthasar. I ain't ever met him, understand what I mean? but they say he's a genuine wonder an' no mistake; tell you anything right off the reel. You set right there and lemme go see if I can't call him up by telephone."
She withdrew between the curtains, behind
