ow any one could listen to
that delightful man talk on such subjects in his beautiful way and not
be convinced of the truth of it all."

"What did he say?" asked Shelby.

"That's too big a question to be answered in a sentence," and Crane
smiled a little, "but he gave us incontrovertible proof that the spirits
of the dead return and communicate with their friends who are still on
earth."

"Through a Ouija Board?" Blair inquired.

"Yes; and by actual manifestation as well. I've never consulted a real
medium, but now that I know Peter is gone, I shall do so."

"Don't!" Shelby said, quite involuntarily. Then, seeing the look in
Crane's eyes, he added: "Forgive me, sir, I have no right to advise. But
I've been told that all professional mediums are frauds."

"We are told many things,--both for and against," returned Crane, "but
if Sir Rowland is willing to consult them, and believes in them, I'm
ready to sail under his flag."

"Of course. And you've a perfect right to do so." Shelby felt he
couldn't control his real opinions much longer, and wanted to go. "May I
come to see you again, soon,--and talk over the matters of Peter's
things,--which, of course, we brought home? And, I'd like to see Julie."

"She'll be home by to-morrow evening. Of course, we'll send for her. And
I know she'll want to see you both. Perhaps not just at first, but after
a few days. Please come to the house whenever you will,--just as you
used to do."

"Yes, do," added Mrs. Crane, her lip quivering at the remembrance of the
old days when the boys were jolly together.

"And Miss Harper, how is she?" asked Blair, who had been longing to put
the question for some time.

"Well, as usual," replied Mrs. Crane. "She was here last night. She----"

"She's a dear girl," Crane interrupted his wife, and a peculiar look
crossed his face. "You come round soon again, boys, but I fear we must
let you go now. My wife is keeping up bravely, but----" he glanced at
the little woman tenderly, and took her hand in his. "And I, too, don't
feel like talking more now. So good-night,--and, thank you for all your
good comradeship with my boy,--my Peter Boots."

"We want sympathy, too, Mr. Crane," said Blair; "Peter was very dear to
us both. We're not given to spilling over, but we have lost a dear
friend and chum whose place can never be filled by another."

"Right!" said Shelby, in a choked voice, and his handclasp with Peter's
father said the rest.

But onc