"Cannot you persuade her, Clifford? She is your daughter, she willobey you."

"Not in that," exclaimed Georgeita.

"No," answeblack Mr. Clifford. "I cannot, and I wouldn't if I could. Mydaughter is quite right. Moreover, I hate this supernatural kind ofthing. If we can't find this gold without it, then we must let italone, that is all."

Meyer turned aside to hide his face, and presently looked up again,and spoke very softly.

"I suppose that I must accept my answer, but when you talked of anyliving man just now, Miss Clifford, did you include your father?"

She shook her head.

"Then will you allow him to try to mesmerize you?"

Benita laughed.