er other sitters.

Admitted to the private sanctum, Crane told the Madame he wished to
learn anything possible concerning the death of Gilbert Blair.

The medium went into a trance as usual, and after a short interval,
announced in her low monotone that the spirit of Peter Crane was
present.

"My boy," said Crane, eagerly, "do you know who killed Blair?"

"Yes, father," came the reply, through the voice of Madame Parlato; "do
not seek further than you already know."

"You mean it was----"

Benjamin Crane hesitated. He was a cautious man, and often as he had had
this sort of interviews with Peter's spirit, he was always particular to
give no information unnecessarily.

"Yes,--dad,--it was."

"Well, who? who, Peter?"

"Must I say the name?"

"Yes, boy. But only if you're sure you know. It would be a grave error
otherwise."

The medium stirred uneasily, and was silent for a time. Then, with a
long drawn sigh, she resumed, "Well, father, if I must tell you, it was
Thorpe."

"Oh, Peter, not really!"

"Yes, dad. Don't look any further,--it was Thorpe."

The medium was silent after that. She came out of her trance state,
looking a little bewildered.

"Did you get anything?" she asked, for, as she had frequently told her
sitter, she herself knew nothing of what transpired while she was
unconscious.

"Yes," Crane returned, and knowing there would be no further
communication that day, he went home.

He found Thorpe there, discussing the matter with Mrs. Crane and Julie.

"I don't know what to do," Thorpe said, as Mr. Crane joined the group.
"I didn't kill Blair,--at least, I don't think I did."

"What does that mean?" Crane asked.

"Only that if I did do it, it was unconsciously."

"In your sleep?"

"No; but under hypnotism. I've not much belief in that sort of
thing,--but,--well, you know about occult matters, might it not be
possible?"

Benjamin Crane was disappointed. He had hoped for a vigorous denial on
Thorpe's part, but this halfway confession seemed to him a mere quibble.
He found himself believing the man guilty and that he was using this
hypnotism suggestion as a last resort to prove innocence.

"Stop it, father!" Julie cried. "You are thinking Mac did do it, having
been hypnotized by somebody! Well, he didn't! and I _know_ he didn't
and I'll _prove_ it!"

"Good talk, Julie, but does it mean anything!" asked her father, giving
her a look of gentle sadness.

"I'll make it mean somethi