Carlotta and the Board
Much as Benjamin Crane desired to believe in Thorpe's innocence it was
difficult for him to do so, after the disclosure of the medium, Madame
Parlato. In her powers he had absolute faith, of her honesty and
sincerity he was entirely confident, and it was largely the accounts of
her _seances_ that made the bulk of his book about his son's
communications with him. The _seances_ were frequent, still, and at each
one he gained more material for use in a second book.
The book, the one already published, was in its fourth edition and was
still having large sales. It was called "A Prophecy Fulfilled," and
dealt with the old prophecy of the gypsy,--that Peter should be lost
while on a distant journey, should die a terrible death there, but
should mysteriously return to his family.
This, Benjamin Crane held, had been accomplished in full. The long
journey, the terrible death, were matters of fact, and Mr. and Mrs.
Crane believed that the return of their son was equally a matter of
fact.
Wherefore, the book was written in a simple, straightforward style,
without excitement or exaggeration, and it gave detailed recitals of the
happenings at the _seances_.
Needless to say that the medium was besieged with would-be clients, but
she accepted very few, for the Cranes claimed most of her time. Not that
they were continually in her presence, but the exhaustive nature of her
trances made it impossible for her to devote many hours a day to their
practice. And Benjamin Crane made it quite worth her while, financially,
to reserve for him her peculiar talents.
The sessions brought forth little that was new or different, but the
parents never tired of what they implicitly believed was absolute direct
communication with their son's spirit through the personality of Madame
Parlato.
Criticism, disapproval, even ridicule from their friends and
acquaintances moved them not a jot from their faith and trust.
Wiser and better people than we, believe in it,--they would argue,--and
it is now so much a part of our lives, that I think we could scarcely
live without it.
And so, they went along, cheered and made happy by the communications
and fully reconciled thereby to the death of their cherished son.
Julie, though never quite satisfied of the truth of the whole matter,
had become more or less imbued with the atmosphere that she lived in,
and aside from her own feelings, was glad that her parents could be
happy in their grief, even though it were a delusion.
And the popularity of this book brought him absorbing work and many
outside interests to Benjamin Crane. Continually, people came to see
him, to discuss the question of Continuity, or Life after Death, and to
argue for or against the reappearance of departed spirits.
Many of these he saw and learned to like and his circle of acquaintances
was continually enlarging.
Naturally, when he discussed matters with them, the subject of Gilbert
Blair's death was talked of. Crane was a careful man, and rarely told
what happened at his _seances_, save in a general way. For he had
learned of the dangers of having his statements misquoted and
exaggerated, and as a rule, he was canny enough to let his visitors
talk, while he said little.
And from the consensus of opinion thus gathered, he discovered that
public sentiment was largely against McClellan Thorpe. This troubled
him, for if Thorpe were guilty it was surely Crane's duty to guard his
daughter from a criminal. On the other hand, Julie was so deeply in love
with Thorpe, and so positive that he was in no way a wrong-doer, that
the father's heart was torn.
But his most vital reason for believing in Thorpe's guilt was the
message from his son to that effect.
"It rests between our two children," he said to his wife. "Peter tells
us Mac is the guilty man,--and Julie tells us he isn't. Now, we must
learn the truth. I'm going to get a detective, myself,-- I've had a fine
one recommended,--and I don't think we need say anything to Julie or Mac
about it. They asked for a few days to do some 'detecting' on their own
account,--but it won't amount to anything, I feel sure. So I'm going to
engage Pennington Wise,--if I can get him. I'm told he's a most
successful man, though not one of the 'wizards' or know-it-all variety."
"Very well," Mrs. Crane, as always, agreed; "but don't tell anybody.
Need you?"
"Yes, I'll tell Weston. It wouldn't be fair not to. You see, I'm in a
peculiar position. I've taken the responsibility of investigating
Blair's death, without any real authority, save that of a friend."
"Of course your reason is that Julie cares for him."
"Of course. And I do hope he can be cleared, but if not, it would better
be proved against him, and let Julie know it, and get over it."
"Yes," Mrs. Crane sighed. "Poor child, it would go hard with her."
"But she must bear it, if it's the truth. I've hopes of Wise's
discovering another criminal."
"Then what about Peter's message?"
"I don't know,--but it's possible Peter may himself be misinformed. You
know we've discovered that the disembodied spirits are not omniscient."
In the meantime Carlotta Harper was endeavoring to use her occult powers
to solve the mystery of Blair's death.
Carlotta herself was a mystery. Disavowing any especial clairvoyant
ability, she yet achieved marvelous results from the Ouija Board.
She scoffed at it herself, yet whenever her finger-tips were on the
board it spelled words rapidly and gave messages that were acclaimed as
truth by the audience.
One afternoon Shelby was with her, and he, a little timidly, suggested a
trial of the Board.
"Why, Kit, I thought you detested it," said Carly, surprised.
"I do; but you're a witch at it, and--suppose it should tell us
something about Blair,--something we don't know----"
"You think Mac did it, don't you?" Carly spoke hesitantly, for the two
had discussed the subject very little.
"I don't say so, Carly, yet where else is there to look? If you had
seen, as I did, how much at odds the two chaps were that evening I
dropped in----"
"The night of the dinner?"
"Yes, in the late afternoon. They were rowing no end! Then I went off,
but I called for them on the way to the feast,--we always go
together,--and Blair was in a regular stew. Nervous,--couldn't get his
tie right,--and all that. And--Carly,--what do you think? He asked me if
I'd drop you! Think of that! As if I were a sort of man to interfere
with a friend's interests! Why, if he'd told me there was anything
between you two, of course I should have stepped down and out at once.
Was there, Carly?"
"Nothing definite,--no." The girl spoke wearily, pushing back her thick
mass of dark, wavy hair. "No, Kit, nothing promised. If he had
lived--oh, I don't know. You see, I loved Peter. And I sometimes think I
never can care at all for any one else."
"But, dear, Peter's dead and Blair's dead,--and you can't live all your
life alone: Just give me a ray of hope, Carly. I won't bother you about
it,--only tell me that some time,--maybe----"
"Let it stay at that, Kit. Some time it may be--and now come on,--if you
like we'll try the Ouija."
The session was interesting. Carly never, in any circumstances, pushed
or guided the board in the very least,--nor did she ever sit with any
one whom she suspected of doing so. But with her friends in whom she had
perfect confidence, or with acquaintances who, she knew were eagerly
wanting to learn, not anxious to tell, she often tried the uncanny
thing.
Lightly they rested their finger-tips on the little wooden heart, and
after a short wait it began to move.
At Carly's questions, replies came that there was a spirit present and
that it was Peter Boots.
Neither of the inquirers was surprised at this, for they had fully
expected it. Moreover, both had watched most closely the other's muscles
and fingers and wrists, and each was positive the messages, whatever
their source, were not the result of human deceit.
After some preliminary talk, Carly said, "You put the questions, Kit."
So Shelby said, "Peter, you know Blair's gone?"
"Yes," returned the board.
"Have you seen him--or I mean, is he with you--in spirit?"
"Yes" came the answer.
"Will he talk to us?"
"No."
"Well--then can you give us a message from him?"
"Yes."
Yes and No are designated on the Ouija Board as words. The movement of
the Board toward these was quick, almost jerky.
But when the message was asked for,--when Shelby said, "Will he tell us
how he died?" there was a pause and the Board moved aimlessly about.
At last, Carly said, "Peter, was Gilbert killed?"
"Yes," came the quick reply.
"Do you know who killed him?"
"Yes."
"Who was it?"
Carly shot out the question quickly, and immediately the board moved to
T. From that, as the two breathlessly waited, the pointer very slowly
spelled Thorpe.
The word did not go smoothly,--the board swung round in large loops, but
paused positively at each letter, and then started slowly to the next.
"You didn't push, Kit?" Carly asked, but more from force of habit than
any doubt of him.
"Of course not. Nobody could push with you watching, nor was there any
reason why I should. Did you?"
"Of course not. Don't let's ask each other that. We're both honest. But
you know, Kit, Mr. Crane had a communication from Peter and he said
Thorpe did it. But Mr. Crane thinks maybe Peter doesn't know."
"Let's try to get Blair's spirit."
They tried,--if receptive waiting can be called trying,--and at last
they succeeded in receiving the information that Gilbert Blair's spirit
was present.
"Will you tell us who killed you?" Carly asked at once, fearing lest he
go away.
Slowly the pointer moved away from the letter T. But after a series of
swirls it stopped definitely at M.
"Go on," said Carly, in a whisper.
A long swing of aimless motions and then a stop at A.
The next stop was at C, and then the board would move no more.
Carly sighed, and took her hands off.
"Well, there's the message, Kit. You know Gilbert always called him
Mac,--now what do you think of Ouija?"
"I don't know what to think, Carly. Mayn't it be only that Thorpe was in
both our minds, and that we subconsciously----"
"Oh, well, if you're going to take that tack, there's no more to be
said. It's easy enough to say that,--but how can the dead send messages
if the human beings always say,--oh, subconscious pushing!"
"But, are you so anxious to believe in Thorpe's guilt?"
"Not that,--but I want to know. Julie's devoted to him, and if he's a--a
murderer, Julie must be saved from him. If he isn't,--we must find it
out, and give him to Julie free and clear of suspicion."
"We! Are you responsible for Julie's affairs?"
"Yes, in so far as I can help. You say, everybody says, that I have
occult powers. If so, I must use them to help,--if they really do help.
But how can I be sure?"
"I don't know. But I think, perhaps, you'd better leave the whole
occult business alone. It's uncanny if it's real, and it's foolishness
if it's faked."
"I think Mr. Crane is going to get a special detective," Carly said,
"but, oh, my gracious, I forgot I promised not to tell that. So don't
tell anybody else. I don't suppose they'd mind you knowing."
"Who's the man?"
"I think his name is Wise,--good name for a detective!"
"Never heard of him. But, let's hope he clears Mac."
"Yes, and finds the real murderer. Do you know I can't realize Gilbert's
gone,--even yet."
"Don't think about him, Carly. It can't do any good, and it only makes
you sad and morbid. Let me tell you of my hopes and fears, mayn't I?"
"Of course, go ahead."
"Well, I'm getting up a big,--a really big enterprise."
"What?"
"I hope you won't disapprove, but it's in the Moving Picture business."
"Why should I disapprove?"
"Oh, some people sniff at M. P's. But this is a really big, fine
production."
"Are you the producer?"
"Yes; don't tell it outside, yet. You see, I've written a big story,--a
picturesque thriller,--and critics who've read it, think it's a wonder.
Now, it's too big to give to anybody,-- I mean, it would be foolish for
me merely to get a royalty,--so I'm going to put it on, myself."
"Good, Kit, I'm glad to hear it. I always thought you had it in you to
be some sort of an organizer or producer, in some important way."
"Yes, I've always had that ambition. Well, this is a great yarn! I want
to read it to you some time. Marvelous pictures,--they're being made
now. And that's not all of it,-- I mean to make it into a book----"
"You can't write a book!"
"If I can't I'll get it written,--but the plot is such a wonder,--and
the scenes!"
"Up in Labrador, I'll bet!"
"Yes, they are, Carly. And corkers! Well, I figure to have the book and
the pictures sprung on an unsuspecting public simultaneously,--and
afterward,--maybe, it will be made into a real play!"
"And after that, into a Light Opera,--and after that, into Grand Opera?"
Carly's tone was mocking, but her smile was sweet and approving, and Kit
beamed at her.
"I knew you'd be interested! I want you to hear the plot soon,--and
would you like to go to the studios?"
"Where they're making the Labrador pictures?"
"Yes; they're faked, of course. No sense in going up there to take them.
I know the stuff so well, I can get it up right here."
"Oh, Kit, you ought to have the real scenes."
"No; it isn't necessary. Snow's easy enough to manage. But the plot's
the thing! Carly, it's a peach! And then, it's all done up with real
artistry. No crude, raw scenes. All softened with lights and shades and
colors; and everything,--even realism, sacrificed to beauty. It will be
the success of the season, the talk of the town, and it will make my
reputation forever."
"When will it be put on?"
"Soon, now, I hope. Well, I mean in a month or so. I'd like to say the
middle of May, and think perhaps I can. It will run all summer and
doubtless longer."
"And you don't want me to tell of this?"
"Not quite yet, Carly. I'll let you know when you may."
* * * * *
And so, when, after Shelby had gone, and Julie and Thorpe came, Carly
said nothing of the plans for the great Moving Picture.
Nor did she tell of the Ouija Board experiences she and Shelby had had.
In fact, Carly said little, preferring to let her guests talk.
And they did.
"We're detecting," Julie began, and Thorpe, his eyes harassed and
gloomy, had to smile at Julie's enthusiasm.
"Can I help?" Carly asked, with a loving glance at her friend.
"I hope so,--but not with your old Ouija Board. I hate it!"
"Wait till I suggest it," Carly smiled, for she saw Julie was in no mood
for argument. "What can I do?"
"Only advise. I don't think you're a medium, Carly, but I do think you
have sort of queer powers. Now a queer thing has happened to me. This
morning, on my bureau, there lay a note,--here it is." She handed a
folded paper to Carlotta.
It read: "Dear little sister. You _must_ give up old Mac. He did for
Gilbert. Peter Boots."
Carly stared at the note.
"It's in Peter's own writing!" she said; "what can it mean?"
"It means fraud!" Julie exclaimed. "I know that's no note from Peter! It
is in his writing----"
"But so exactly his writing!" Carly said, "nobody could have written
that but Peter himself. Oh, Julie!"
"Now, stop, Carly! Don't you say it's really a materialization of a note
from Peter! It can't be! I'm afraid to show it to mother or Dad, for I
know they'll say it's really from him,--and I won't believe it."
"You won't believe it's from Peter, because you don't want to believe
what it says,--isn't that it?"
Carly looked at Thorpe, though she spoke to Julie.
"Partly," Julie admitted; "but anyway, I can't believe that Peter,--my
dead brother,--put that real, paper note on my dresser!"
"If it had said Mac didn't kill Gilbert, would you believe it then?"
Carly asked.
Julie stared at her, as she took in the question.
"Yes," she said at last, "in that case, I'd want to believe,--but I
don't see how I could----"
"Oh, you could, all right," Carly said, "if it meant Mac's innocence was
thereby established."
"I'm out for justice," Thorpe said; "I hate to hurt Julie's feelings,
but that note doesn't interest me at all,--one way or the other. You
see, if it's a fake,--and I can't help thinking it is, it's somewhat in
my favor, for if faked must it not have been done by the real murderer,
trying to put the blame on me? And if it's real--but, I never discuss
that sort of thing at all. I'm not a believer,--as the Cranes believe,
and yet, feeling toward the Crane family as I do, I refuse to combat
their beliefs or principles. So, as I say, I leave the note out of my
consideration. And, yet, Carlotta, I do want your opinion as to the
genuineness of the handwriting, because you know Peter's fist so
well,--and you're even less likely to be deceived than his family."
Carly scrutinized the note again.
"It seems to me it must be Peter's writing," she said at last. "Those
long tails to the filial letters of the words, those are characteristic.
And it's--yes, it's unmistakably his."
"All right," Thorpe sighed. "I just wanted to know, for Mr. Crane will
know of it sooner or later, and I'm sure he'll identify it as Peter's
writing.
"And it surely is," Julie added, again staring at the paper.
"But, Julie, it's _too_ absurd!" Second thoughts convinced Carly of
this. "How could such a thing happen?"
"I don't know how it could, but it did," Julie said, doggedly. "And so,
Carly, I feel, as Mac says, there's no attention to be paid to this
note. If--mind I say _if_--Peter sent it, why then Peter thinks Mac did
something that he didn't do, that's all. I know Mac is innocent, and so
I shall say nothing of this note to any one, and you mustn't either."
"I won't," Carly smiled to herself as she realized how many secrets she
was accumulating, "but you will, Julie. You can't keep that from your
father, even though you mean to."
"Yes, I can, if to tell of it would cast a straw of evidence against
Mac! You see, Carly, we've got to find the real criminal, and I'd rather
do it myself than get a new detective on the job."
Carly knew this was because Julie feared the astuteness of the new
detective. Which, in turn, meant that Julie, herself, feared Mac's
guilt. Oh, it was a tightly closing net round Mac, as she saw it!
"I wish I could help," she found herself saying, most unconsciously, so
deeply was she thinking. "But, Julie, you two can do nothing. What are
you expecting to accomplish?"
"Success," Thorpe made reply. "Complete success. It may sound absurd,
but I think that note is a help to my cause rather than hindrance!"
"I think so, too," said Carlotta.