Part 34 (1/2)
”Yes; at least it has said he was guilty, but, as you say, an Ouija Board means nothing.”
”It means something, indeed, but not the thing it says.”
”A brilliant remark, Zizi!” Wise smiled at her.
”But I mean just that, Penny. I'm getting a line on this thing, and I think that the criminal or the criminal's friends or accomplices are utilizing occult forces in their own behalf. I think, Miss Crane, the more messages you get telling you of Mr. Thorpe's guilt the more you may believe in his innocence!”
”Look out, Ziz, don't go too fast,” Wise counseled her. ”You've only begun this thing--there's a lot yet to be learned.”
”I'll learn it, and I'm sure I'm headed in the right direction. And I'd like very much to see this Miss Harper. The Ouija witch! Has she told you to suspect Mr. Thorpe?”
”Don't put it that way,” Julie begged. ”Miss Harper is my dearest friend, and whatever she does with the Ouija Board is absolutely honest on her part, absolutely free from deceit.”
”Then she's a unique case,” declared Zizi. ”Never has such a thing been known to science.” Her smile robbed the words of invidious intent, and though Julie stood up for Carlotta's innocence, she had always wondered whether there was not some involuntary, even unconscious helping along done to the little board.
”Let's go to see her now,” she suggested, and Wise agreeing, the two girls started off.
”This is Miss----?” Julie looked inquiringly at the girl she was about to introduce to Carlotta, remembering she didn't know her last name.
”Just Zizi,” was the smiling reply, and the slim little dark hand was held out in greeting. ”I'm so glad to know you, Miss Harper. For, though I admit I don't believe in Ouija, I am interested, and Miss Crane tells me you never 'push'.”
”No, I never do that,” Carlotta smiled, ”but don't think I believe in the thing, for I don't at all. It amuses me, and it puzzled me, at first, but now I understand it, and it's beginning to lose interest for me.”
”Understand it?” Zizi looked bewildered. ”You mean----”
”I mean I know what makes it work, why it tells the truth, when it does tell the truth, and why it fibs when it does fib.”
Carly Harper's face was frank and honest; she had no effect of mystery or clairvoyant power, and Zizi was bewildered.
”I am indeed glad to know you!” she exclaimed, ”will you impart this knowledge to me, or is it a secret?”
”It's not a secret, perhaps it isn't knowledge, it's, after all, only my own theory, or rather, discovery, based on long and wide experience.”
Zizi was enchanted.
”Oh, goody!” she cried, her black eyes dancing. ”I'm crazy to know just what you mean! Will you give me a session with the board?”
”Will you promise not to push?”
”Of course, and, anyway, you'd know it if I did.”
So Carly got the board, and the two sat at it, while Julie looked on.
The usual routine followed, and at last the professed spirit of Peter Crane was ”present.”
On being asked if Thorpe killed Gilbert Blair, the Ouija Board promptly replied ”No.”
”Oh, Peter, the other day you said he did!” Carlotta exclaimed, but again the Board flew to the corner where ”No” was printed.