therefore, you
are disappointed, I cannot help it. Surely you would not wish me to
embroider the messages I receive."

"Surely not," returned Shelby, "indeed, I think it wonderful that you
succeeded in getting as much coherence and information as you did. It is
something to know that Peter was attacked by a wild beast, for, horrible
as is the news, it does explain why he couldn't proceed on the journey."

"Yes," agreed Mr. Crane. "And I am so avid for word from my boy, that
even if the messages are disturbing and harrowing, I want them all. I
have always told Madame Parlato not to spare me. I prefer to know the
worst. For my boy is happy now. We have had several sittings; my wife
has attended some, and they are always comforting because of Peter's
assertions that he is now happy and contented."

At Shelby's urgent request, the medium endeavored to induce Peter's
spirit to return for a further word.

Her success was only partial, but they did hear a message to Shelby
direct.

"Persevere, Kit," Peter said, "you're doing right in that matter. Go
ahead, Kit."

"Your voice sounds queer, Peter," Shelby said, frowning a little. "It
used to be pitched in a higher key."

"It's the medium," came a reply, and the pitch was higher. "I don't mean
the human medium, but the medium through which I must talk--the ether, I
suppose it is. Good-by, Kit."

Madame Parlato then came out of her trance, or whatever term she used to
designate her half-conscious state.

"The session is over," she said, pleasantly. "I fear, Mr. Crane, you did
not get your usual degree of satisfaction from it, but that was because
of a third party here. I don't think Mr. Shelby's antagonistic exactly,
but he's--well, uncertain whether to believe what he hears or not."

"That's quite true, Madame," said Shelby, with due respect, "but you are
doubtless accustomed to people in my frame of mind."

"Oh, yes," and the lady smiled a little, "but I trust, Mr. Shelby, you
will come some time by yourself and let me see what I can do to help you
make up your mind."

"I shall be glad to do that. You have a strange power, at any rate."

"Strange, yes; but by no means unique. There are minds tuned by nature
to receive spirit messages, as wireless stations are tuned. I cannot
explain my strange power, I marvel at it myself, but I recognize it, and
I use it humbly and gratefully as a God-given treasure."

"And that's what it is!" declared Benjamin Crane. "I'm gla