e very plan that I am sure he
used himself, that of putting one poisoned pellet in a bottle of plain
ones, and letting the result happen when it might. His argument was,
that the murderer would be far from the scene at the time death took
place. These statements I submit, and if Christopher Shelby can deny or
refute them, none will be more glad than I."

Shelly maintained a sullen silence, refusing to look at Peter at all.

But Weston adjured him to reply to the accusations with either
confession or denial, and he muttered: "Of course it's all true. I got
in deeper and deeper and there was no way out but to do for Blair. I
began giving the medium things just for fun,--the whole matter seemed to
me such rubbish, and I never dreamed Mr. Crane would take it so
seriously. Then when he did, and when Blair found out I had primed the
medium, and when I wanted his play and he wouldn't let me have it, and
when I wanted his girl,--and when he declared he would expose the medium
business,--I fell for the temptation. That's all."

He lapsed again into utter dejection and Weston led him away before he
should collapse utterly.

"Now, Julie, you can have your Mac," Peter went on, smiling at his
sister. "It's too late to-night----"

"Not a bit of it," declared Penny Wise, "come along, Miss Crane, I'll
take you to him, and let you tell him yourself, and I shouldn't be
surprised if he came back with you."

The two went off joyfully, leaving Peter to be lionized and petted by
his adoring people.

Madame Parlato had long since disappeared, being allowed to get away
unmolested because of the help she had been.

Then Peter and his parents had a talk, while Carlotta just sat and
looked at the group, knowing her turn would come. Zizi, too, like a
little _dea ex machina_, sat, gloating over the outcome of it all.

Benjamin Crane utterly refused to listen to a word of regret at his
discredited book,--he only laughed happily and declared it was a joke on
himself, and he didn't care what the result might be or what loss he
might suffer in reputation or in pocketbook.

Mrs. Crane said little but she held tight to the hand of her boy, and
lost herself in an oblivion of happiness.

And then, turning to Carlotta, Peter said, "And you thought I'd never
come back?"

"Peter," Carly said, "I'm an expert Ouija Boarder. I have the reputation
of making the Board say whatever I want it to. But my own theory is,
that the little pointer always go