ng! That thick-witted detective doesn't know a
thing! Now, I don't believe in the hypnotism theory----"

"Why, Julie," said her mother, "I've heard you say you believed in
hypnotism!"

"Oh, yes, I do, but I mean not in this case. Nobody hypnotized McClellan
to kill Gilbert. I'm sure of that, and I wish you wouldn't repeat it,
Mac. People will only laugh at you."

"Well, what are you going to do, my child?" asked her father.

"Oh, I don't know! I'm desperate,-- I will find out something!"

"Of course you will, Julie, for I'll help you."

It was Thorpe who spoke, and he seemed to have suddenly acquired a new
energy.

"I'm going to turn detective myself," he went on. "We'll work together,
Julie, and,-- Mr. Crane, if we succeed,-- I mean succeed in freeing
myself from suspicion----"

"And finding the real criminal," put in Crane with a very serious face.

"Yes, and find the real criminal," but Thorpe's face was less bright,
"then, sir, will you give us your blessing?"

"Yes, McClellan," but Crane's voice had no hearty ring, "yes, when you
are a free man in every sense of the word, you may take my little girl
for your own."

Thorpe gave him a searching look. "I can't help seeing, Mr. Crane," he
said, "that you think,--or perhaps I may say, you fear I am guilty. I
hope I can prove to you that I am not."

Crane noticed the wording of his speech. Thorpe hoped to prove to
him,--but he didn't say he was innocent.

And Benjamin Crane believed the man guilty. Greatly influenced by what
he had heard at the _seance_ with the medium, Crane was still willing to
be convinced to the contrary, but Thorpe's own attitude and words did
not carry conviction.

"Well, my children," Crane said at last, "here's my proposition. I can't
think your determination to do detective work will produce much fruit.
Now, if you like, I'll engage the best detective I can find and put him
on the job. What say, Thorpe?"

It was a test question, and Crane eagerly awaited the answer. If Thorpe
were really innocent, he would welcome the clever sleuthing that would
be likely to unearth the truth.

But he was disappointed to hear Thorpe say, "Not yet, Mr. Crane. Give us
a chance. Let me try,--let us try,"--with a glance at Julie--"give us a
few days, at least,--then, if we gain nothing,--then bring on your
detective."

"But,-- I hate to say it, Mac, though I dare say you know it,--you may
be arrested any day now."

Thorpe gave a start, and th