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dignified. He waited, ready to seat them at the barren table with the same poise as though it had gleamed with silver, been snowy with linen.

“We are now about to make request,” Chan said slowly. “I would remind you that this is important moment and you must think deep before acting. No mistake must be made. Will you kindly sit down at same places you occupied at this table last night?”

A little chorus of dismay greeted his words. “But I was so excited, I don’t remember,” cried Diana, and the others echoed her. For a moment they milled about, puzzled and uncertain. Then Jimmy Bradshaw dropped down at the foot of the table, opposite the empty chair of the hostess.

“I sat here,” he announced. “I recall it perfectly. Julie, you were at my right. Mr. Van Horn, you sat at my left.”

Julie and the picture actor, with Jessop officiating, took their places.

“Mr. Ballou, you were here beside me,” Julie said, and Chan heaved a sigh of relief as the Honolulu man sank into his chair.

“So I was,” Ballou remarked. “Thank you for remembering, my dear. Diana, you were at my right.”

“True enough,” Miss Dixon agreed, and Jessop held her chair. “And, Val, you were at my right.”

“Of course,” the director nodded, and sat down.

One side of the table was now completely filled—but it was not the side that interested Charlie.

“You were across from me, Rita,” said Diana.

Mrs. Ballou took her place.

Two chairs, aside from the one at the head of the table, remained vacant, with Jaynes and Tarneverro left to occupy them.