I were a sort of man to interfere
with a friend's interests! Why, if he'd told me there was anything
between you two, of course I should have stepped down and out at once.
Was there, Carly?"

"Nothing definite,--no." The girl spoke wearily, pushing back her thick
mass of dark, wavy hair. "No, Kit, nothing promised. If he had
lived--oh, I don't know. You see, I loved Peter. And I sometimes think I
never can care at all for any one else."

"But, dear, Peter's dead and Blair's dead,--and you can't live all your
life alone: Just give me a ray of hope, Carly. I won't bother you about
it,--only tell me that some time,--maybe----"

"Let it stay at that, Kit. Some time it may be--and now come on,--if you
like we'll try the Ouija."

The session was interesting. Carly never, in any circumstances, pushed
or guided the board in the very least,--nor did she ever sit with any
one whom she suspected of doing so. But with her friends in whom she had
perfect confidence, or with acquaintances who, she knew were eagerly
wanting to learn, not anxious to tell, she often tried the uncanny
thing.

Lightly they rested their finger-tips on the little wooden heart, and
after a short wait it began to move.

At Carly's questions, replies came that there was a spirit present and
that it was Peter Boots.

Neither of the inquirers was surprised at this, for they had fully
expected it. Moreover, both had watched most closely the other's muscles
and fingers and wrists, and each was positive the messages, whatever
their source, were not the result of human deceit.

After some preliminary talk, Carly said, "You put the questions, Kit."

So Shelby said, "Peter, you know Blair's gone?"

"Yes," returned the board.

"Have you seen him--or I mean, is he with you--in spirit?"

"Yes" came the answer.

"Will he talk to us?"

"No."

"Well--then can you give us a message from him?"

"Yes."

Yes and No are designated on the Ouija Board as words. The movement of
the Board toward these was quick, almost jerky.

But when the message was asked for,--when Shelby said, "Will he tell us
how he died?" there was a pause and the Board moved aimlessly about.

At last, Carly said, "Peter, was Gilbert killed?"

"Yes," came the quick reply.

"Do you know who killed him?"

"Yes."

"Who was it?"

Carly shot out the question quickly, and immediately the board moved to
T. From that, as the two breathlessly waited, the pointer very slowly
spelled Th