Zizi's Opportunity
The Blair case had come to a standstill. Although the police were still
making investigations, they were fairly well satisfied that Thorpe was
the guilty man and since he was jailed and awaiting trial, they rested
on their laurels.
Pennington Wise was by no means sure of Thorpe's guilt, and Zizi was
certain of his innocence, but though these two were working hard, as yet
they had found no other definite suspect.
"But you must, Zizi," wailed Julie. "You know as well as I do that Mac
never killed Gilbert. Now, find out who did!"
Wise confessed himself baffled, but asked for a little more time before
admitting himself vanquished.
"You see, Ziz," he said to his astute young helper, "there are so many
interesting side issues, that we get off the main track. I own up I'm
quite as much absorbed in this Spiritism racket as I am in the murder
case."
"That's the trouble, Penny," Zizi returned, gravely. "You're scattering
your energies. And it won't do. You've got to concentrate on the Blair
murder. And you've got to get at it from a different angle. Suppose you
take a run out West and see that mother and sister. They may give you a
line on things."
"I've been thinking I'd do that. There must be something in Blair's past
that can be unearthed and may prove enlightening. I could do it in a
week, and it might be time well spent."
"Of course it would. And, truly, there's no way to look, here. I've
thought and thought but we've no hint or clew pointing to any one but
Thorpe,--and, it wasn't Thorpe."
Then Zizi told him of the strange man she had seen in the Crane library
the night before.
"And you let him get away! Why, Zizi?"
"He was no burglar. I saw that. There was no use in alarming the house.
He was----"
"Well?"
"Oh, I knew at once who he was. He was the John Harrison who sent that
Douglas person here to interview Mr. Crane."
"Well, is he to be allowed to walk in and out as he chooses! How did he
get in?"
"I don't know, but I hope he'll come again. I like him. Why, Penny, he's
a gentleman."
"But who is he? What's he up to?"
"He didn't confide in me, but I know. He's the medium's agent. He comes
here and gets data and information and tells her and she works it off
on the Cranes. I saw through that at once. He must have a key and he
just walks in and helps himself, you see."
"Absurd!"
"Maybe; but that's what he does, all the same."
"And he told you his name!"
"Yes; but that's nothing. He'll have another name and another home
before night. These mediums resort to the strangest tricks to get their
stuff! Why, Penny, he was prowling in that drawer where the tobacco
pouch is, and I think he meant to take it away so they could
'materialize' it over again. I'm going to watch for him nights. He'll
come again."
But Zizi was mistaken. John Harrison did not come again, though the girl
was alert to welcome him.
Pennington Wise went West, to see the relatives of Blair, for it had
frequently been his experience that such inquiries into a man's early
life brought about useful knowledge.
This left Zizi in a position of responsibility, to keep watch of
developments and to learn what she could from them.
She was not so sure as Julie of Thorpe's innocence, but she meant to
find another suspect if one could be found, and she redoubled her
efforts.
Zizi had become a welcome guest in the Thorpe household, and they all
admired and loved her. A most adaptable little piece, she fitted into
the family as if she belonged there, and she and Julie were warm
friends.
She said nothing of the midnight intruder, being determined in her own
mind, that he was an emissary from the medium, Madame Parlato, whom Zizi
regarded as an absolute fake. To prove this was a desire of Zizi's mind
as well as to solve the mystery of the Blair murder.
But her fondness for the Cranes was such, that she was not sure she
should expose the medium's trickery, even if she discovered it herself.
So she went on with her secret investigations, and at present they
included an inquiry into the matter of that reporter's visit and John
Harrison's appearance on the scene.
Zizi had, of course, read Benjamin Crane's book, and in it had seen the
picture of Peter, but the portrait was so different in effect from the
bearded man whom she saw but indistinctly by the dim light in the
library that she never connected the two in her thoughts.
But she thoroughly believed that the man in the library had come there
for the purpose of acquiring either information or materials for further
manifestations of the medium. She was sure that the tobacco pouch and
the handkerchief which had been "materialized" had been obtained in this
way and, she argued, the best way to find out, was to remain silent as
to John Harrison's call.
When told by Mr. Crane of the visit of Douglas, the reporter, Zizi had
suspected something beneath the surface,--it did not seem plausible to
her, that the case was just as it was stated.
And somehow, in the back of her astute little brain, she had a notion
that the Blair murder and the supernatural manifestations were in some
way connected, at least, indirectly.
So she was merely receptive, and put herself in the way of learning all
she could of the medium's affairs without showing her own hand. She
obtained a detailed account of the _seances_ from the elder Cranes, and
each time she became not only more convinced of the medium's fraud, but
sure that the faker, more and more secure in her clients' credulity, was
growing both daring and careless.
This, Zizi concluded, was her opportunity, and she hoped to profit by
her knowledge of the visit of John Harrison.
* * * * *
And meantime, the so-called John Harrison, whom Zizi had sized up so
mistakenly, was puzzling his head over the identity of the girl who had
seen him.
He was not alarmed by fear of discovery, for he could change his name
and address at will, but he was piqued by the saucy announcement that
she knew all about him, and amazed at her knowledge that he had sent
Douglas to see Benjamin Crane.
Moreover, the sight of that familiar old tobacco pouch of his own had
stirred him, and some logical deductions that followed in its train
caused him to reconsider his decision to disappear at once.
"But I got to have some money," he reasoned, "and I think I know how to
get it!"
As a matter of fact, he did. He had in his mind a plot for a moving
picture, which he had long cherished and thought over, but which he had
never put on paper. The success of Shelby's great picture put it in his
mind to try to sell his own. He was tempted to take it to the Shelby
corporation but knowing it wiser, he went to a rival company.
As his plot was new, original and decidedly meritorious, he had no
trouble in finding a market. He learned that he could sell merely his
plot, that the "continuity" work would be done by their own people; and
delighted to receive a most satisfactory lump sum, John Harrison gave
his name as Louis Bartram, and removed to another hotel, where he
registered under his new name.
For Peter Crane had resolved to do a little investigating on his own
hook, and he realized that since the girl at his home knew his present
cognomen it must be changed.
Louis Bartram, therefore, sent for Douglas, and took that mystified
young man into his confidence to a degree.
"It's this way, Douglas," he said, "I give you my word I'm straight and
all right, but I'm unraveling a mystery, and I'm incog for the present."
Now nobody could look into Peter Crane's blue eyes and doubt his
veracity, and Douglas believed exactly what was told him.
"Can I help?" he said, simply, and Louis Bartram told him he could.
Wherefore, Bartram expeditiously acquired such information as he needed,
and the first item was the name and address of the medium who was
responsible for the _seances_ detailed in Benjamin Crane's famous book.
And then to the house of Madame Parlato, Louis Bartram went, having made
an appointment through the useful Douglas.
The madame's quick glance of inquiry was satisfied and her ever-ready
suspicions lulled by her first glance into Peter's eyes. It was
impossible to distrust that frank gaze, and though Peter was an
unbeliever in her and all her works, yet his cause was honest and
sincere and he met her on her own ground.
"You want a _seance_?" the occult lady inquired.
"No, Madame Parlato," Peter returned, quietly, "I want to bribe you to
undertake a commission for me."
"Wh--what!" she cried, turning white and quite losing her poise at his
astonishing remark.
"Now, let's cut out all that," Peter went on, practically, "let's assume
that we've thrashed it all out, and agreed that you're one of the
cleverest of your sort and can fool the gullible ones very neatly. But,
let's also assume that when one who knows comes along that you will
meet him halfway, and at least, listen to his proposition."
"But, this,--this is outrageous----"
"Not at all. You see, I know of the faking you have done,--and are
doing,--in the Crane matter."
"Oh,--ah----" Madame cautiously awaited further speech from her
attractive but unusual caller.
"Yes,--and," here Peter made a bold stroke, "I know who is giving you
things to 'materialize,' and why, and I want to know how much you are
being paid, in order that I may offer you more to follow my directions."
"I do not acknowledge that you are right----" she began, but Peter
interrupted:
"You needn't; your expression, your countenance tells me all I want of
acknowledgment. Now, listen to reason. I only want one _seance_,
conducted according to my orders, and I'll pay you what you demand. Your
other patron needn't know anything about my hand in the matter."
"I refuse your requests, sir. I resent your accusations, and unless you
leave here at once, I shall call----"
"Oh, no, you won't call the police, or any one else. You would greatly
object to an investigation of your place here, and you and I know why.
You'll do much better, madame, to listen to my proposition, and accept
it. You see,-- I _know_!"
The mysterious tone Peter used seemed to carry conviction, and with a
little shudder, Madame Parlato gave in.
"What do you want?" she asked, tremulously; "what do you intend to do?"
"I intend to do a great many things," Peter replied, gravely, "but I
want very little. Only that you shall conduct a _seance_, at the time I
set and entirely in accordance with my orders."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I shall feel it my duty to expose you as a fraud and a charlatan."
The woman winced at these words, but meeting Peter's steely gaze and
realizing his power over her, she said:
"First, tell me who you are."
"I am Louis Bartram," he said, "you know that already. For the rest, I
am an investigator of psychic conditions and a student of the occult,
along certain definite lines. You will find it to your best advantage,
Madame, to be perfectly frank and truthful with me. Any other course you
will find most disastrous."
"Are you--are you of the----"
"Of the police? No, this is not an official investigation. And,
moreover, it all depends on yourself whether the results of our work
together are ever made public or not. Now, answer my questions. How did
you come to give these _seances_ to the Cranes?"
"Mr. Crane came and asked me to."
"Where had he heard of you?"
"I was recommended to him by some friends of his."
"Did you ever know his son, Peter?"
"No; I never heard of him until Mr. Crane came here."
"And then you immediately got into spiritual communication with the dead
man?"
"Yes; that is my business."
She spoke a little defiantly, and Peter smiled. "I know. I accept that.
Now, I'm a friend of the Cranes, because of having read that book. A man
who is so absolutely positive of his beliefs is too good and dear a man
to be disturbed in his enjoyment of them."
"Oh, Mr. Bartram, I'm glad you see it that way, too! Truly, I've come to
love the Cranes, and if--if I help along a little, it is largely for the
comfort and happiness it gives them."
"I know,-- I see; and I realize what an awful thing it would be if the
world were to learn that all the matter in his book is really false----"
"Oh, it would kill him! If you knew Mr. Crane, if you knew how his very
life is bound up in this matter, you would be even more assured what a
disaster it would be to have him in any way discredited!"
Peter's heart fell at this, for he had a half hope that he could yet
bring himself to demolish his father's air castle.
"Well, then," he said, slowly, "I'll not discredit him, nor you, for, of
course, one involves the other. But this, on condition that you obey my
commands implicitly in this matter of a _seance_. If you fail me in one
particular, if you disobey one tiny detail, or, if you so much as hint a
word to your--your other employer,--I mean the one who has bribed you to
certain frauds,--then, I shall show you up, even if it does distress Mr.
and Mrs. Crane."
Madame Parlato thought in silence for a moment. Then she said, astutely,
"I don't know who you are, Mr. Bartram, but I am quite certain you are
something more than you wish to tell. I mean a bigger factor in the
Crane affair than you admit. I ask no questions, I agree to your terms,
and I will do exactly as you direct, relying on your promise that if I
do so, you will not tell of any--any insincerity you may notice."
"Wait a moment,--that promise may lead to complications. If the result
of my proposed procedure is to reveal your--er,--insincerity--I cannot
be responsible for the consequences. Those you will have to bear. But I
will admit that my interests are those of Benjamin Crane, and I shall do
all in my power to preserve his secrets and, thereby, yours."
"I think, then, you may go ahead and tell me your plans that you wish me
to carry out."
"I've revised them,'" Peter said, thoughtfully, "they may, as I now see
it, call for more than one _seance_. But here's for a starter. When do
you expect Mr. Crane again?"
"To-morrow."
"All right. Merely give him a further materialization. And let the
object be this,"--he laid a small paper parcel before her, which he had
taken from his pocket,--"yes,--and this," and he produced a second
parcel.
She opened the papers, and found the first to be a handkerchief, the
duplicate of the one already "materialized" and bearing the monogram
Carly had so painstakingly embroidered.
The other parcel contained a silver quarter of a dollar, one side of
which had been smoothed off and engraved with the entwined letters P. C.
"These belonged to the son?" Madame exclaimed, excitedly. "Where did you
get them?"
"From the son," replied Louis Bartram; "but remember you are under oath
of secrecy. You are merely to produce these things as materializations
at your next session with Mr. Crane, and also,--I want to be
present,--unseen. Can it be managed?"
"Of course, that's easy enough."
Further arrangements were made, terms were agreed on, and Louis Bartram
went away from the house of the medium in New York and returned to his
hotel in Brooklyn.
And as he came down the steps of the Parlato residence, a small, dark
girl, who was walking by, quickly scuttled around a corner, and out of
his line of vision.
"I knew it!" Zizi said to herself, exultantly, "he's in cahoots with the
spook woman! He's been there to give her things to materialize and soon
I'll hear of them! He came to the house and stole something which she
will use to fool poor old Mr. Crane. You'll see!"
Zizi talked enthusiastically to herself, resolving to learn more of this
attractive young man's identity.
"Clever, wasn't he?" she asked of herself, "to send that reporter around
first,--probably he stole a key to the house,--oh, it's a whole big
organization, I suppose, and they cover their tracks so completely
they're not even suspected."
Acting on an impulse, she turned and went back to the house of the
medium. By strategy, she succeeded in getting an interview, although she
had no appointment.
"I have come to warn you," she said, without preamble, looking into the
woman's eyes, "I am a detective, and I am onto your game. I know that
man who just left here, he is your tool, your accomplice. Also, I know
that he stole some things from the Crane house that you intend to use in
your so-called materializations. Now, I warn you that if you do that, I
shall see to it that your deceit is shown up, your fraud exposed!"
"My Lord," cried the puzzled Madame, "who are you? Why do you think that
man is my accomplice? It is not so! I never laid eyes on him until this
morning!"
"That is not true," Zizi said, sure of her ground, and wondering why the
medium looked so unfeignedly puzzled. "He works for you----"
"He does not! He is a client. Now you leave, or I'll have you put out."
"I am going to leave," and Zizi rose, "but you remember what I said. If
you show up any more materialized belongings of Mr. Crane's dead son,
I'll have you exposed and arrested!"
It is doubtful which of the two was more perplexed by this conversation.
Zizi, with her quick reading of human nature, saw that Madame Parlato
was truly surprised at the girl's accusation of an accomplice,
therefore, she decided, he could not be an accomplice, after all. And if
not, what was he, and what was he doing at the medium's house?
That he was a client, she did not believe, for had she not seen him,
rummaging in the Crane library and in that table drawer? It was all most
mysterious and Zizi determined to stick to this new mystery in hopes it
would shed some light on the old ones.
Meanwhile Madame Parlato was absolutely bewildered. Who was this strange
girl who had come flying in with an incredible tale about the new
client being an accomplice of her own?
Nor did that question trouble her so much as the consideration of what
she should do next? She had arranged to have Mr. Crane at a _seance_ the
next evening, and to have Mr. Louis Bartram concealed in an adjoining
room, where he could see and hear without being discovered.
Now, if she failed to use the objects he had directed her to use she
feared his ire and vengeance, while if she did use them, this awful
child, who called herself a detective, threatened exposure!
To be sure, she told herself, that little scrap of humanity couldn't be
a detective, the thought was impossible. Yet the child's words and tones
had carried conviction. Indeed, she was no child, though small enough to
be one. She was either a detective, the Madame finally decided, or, she
was a fake medium herself, and had some unknown ax to grind.
In any case, the way of the transgressor was hard, and the occult lady
thought a long time before she came to a decision.
But the conclusion she reached was to obey the orders of Louis Bartram.
He was a far more formidable antagonist, there must be more real danger
in disobeying him than that chit of a girl.
So Madame laid her plans, prepared her properties, and, with fear in her
heart, arranged for the forthcoming _seance_.
And Zizi, worried and uncertain, in Wise's absence, as to just what she
should do, laid her plans to be present also at Benjamin Crane's next
session with the medium.
And Peter Boots, communing with himself, and rapidly getting more and
more excited at his discoveries and the developments of his theories,
impatiently awaited the hour when he should see his father and perhaps
his mother.