Evening star., 1922-03-10

Then, l wish you would look up
Mrs. Pepper tonight and have a pri-
you to do particularly is to get good
idea of the looks of the room in which
she is accustomed to work. I'm going
to duplicate it here in my laboratory
as nearly as possible. Then l want
you to arrange with her for a private
1t is with a few professors at the uni
versity who are interested in psychi-
cal research and that Mr.. Vandam
will be present. I'd rather have her
come willingly than to force her to
come. Incidentally. watch that man.
means he must accompany her."
That evening l dropped casually in
on Mrs. Pepper. She was woman
OF great brilliance and delicacy, both
In her physical and mental percep-
tions. of exceptional. vivacity and
me more closely than was aware Of.
for 1 believe she relied on diverting
my attention whenever she desired
to produce one of her really wonder
full results. Needless to say. I was
completely mystified by her perform
would have done credit to the immor-
tai Slade, told me a lot Of things that
were true and many more that were
unverifiable or hopelessly vague. 1t
was really worth much more than the
price. and 1 did not need to feign the
interest necessary to get her terms
for a circle in the laboratory.
or course. 1 had to make the terms
with Harrington. The first glance
aroused my suspicious of him. He
was shifty-eyed. and his face had a
hard and mercenary look. In spite
pugnance we quickly came to an
agreement. and as I left the apart
ment mentally resolved to keep my
eye on him.
Craig came in late. having been en-
gagged in his chemical analysis all
ferred that they had been satisfactory,
and I had arranged successfully for
the seance. and that Harrington
would accompany the medium.
As we were talking over the case a
messenger arrived with note from
O'Connor. 1t was written with his
usual brevity: Have just found from
servants that Harrington and Mrs. P.
have key to Vandam house. Wish l
had known 1t before. House shadow
ed. No one has entered or left it
tonight"
Craig looked at his watch. 1t was
a quarter after one. "The ghost
won't walk tonight. Walter" he said
as he entered his bedroom for much
needed rest, II guess l was right.
after all. in getting the capsules as
have fitted unobserved in there this
morning directly after the maid
brought them back from the drug
gist.S
Again. the next morning, he had
me out Of bed bright and early. AS
we descended from the 9Th avenue
81" he led me into a peculiar little
shop in the shadow Of the IL" struc-
ture. He entered as though he knew
the place well: but. then, that air of
assurance was Kennedy's stock in
trade and sat very well on him.
Few people. I suppose. have ever
had a glimpse Of this workshop Of
magic and deception. This little shop
of Marina's was the headquarters of
the magicians Of the country. Levi
tation and ghostly disappearing hands
were on every side; The shelves in
the back of the shop were full of
nickel, brass. wire. wood, and papier-
mache contrivances, new and strange
to the eye Of the uninitiated. Yet it
was all as systematic as a hardware
shop.
Of girl in the first room, given up
to picture post cards The room was
as deceptive as the trade. for it was
only an anteroom to the storeroom I
have described above. This storeroom
was also factory. and half a dozen
Yes. the signor was in, the girl re-
piled, leading US back into the work
shop. He proved to be short man
with a bland. open face and frank
eyes. the very antithesis Of his trade.
II have arranged for circle with
handing the man his card. II sup
pose you know her:"
Indeed. yes" he answered. "I fur
nished her seance room"
We'll, I want to hire for tonight
just the same sort of tables. cabinets,
only hire. you understand. but I am
willing to pay you well for them. Tt
Is the best way to get good sitting,
believe. Can you do it?"
The little man thought a moment.
then, replied: Isl. signor-yes-very
thing for Mrs. Pepper. She is good
customer But her MANAGER
MY friend here, Mr.. Jameson, has
had seances with her in her own
apartment" interposed Craig. per
haps he can help you to recollect just
what is necessary"
"I know very we'll. signor. 1 have
the duplicate bin. the bill which was
paid by that Harrington with check
from the banker vandam. Leave it
to me-"
place this afternoon"
"Yes, professor. yes It is a bar
gain. I would dc. anything for Mrs.
Popper-she is a fine woman"
Late that afternoon I rejoined
Craig at his laboratory. Signor Ma
rina had already arrived with a truck
and was disposing the paraphernalia
about the laboratory. He had first
laid thick black rug. Mrs. Pepper
very much affected black carpets, and
I had noticed that vandam's room was
sarpeted In black too; SUI suppose
oughtn't to see at seance.
A cabinet with a black curtain, sew
eral chairs, q light deal table, sew
eral banjos. horns and other instru-
ments were disposed about the room.
With With fsM fs Of the
ings on. the walls. Kennedy was
manifestly anxious to finish, and at
last it was done.
After Marina had gone. Kennedy
stretched q curtain over the end of
the room farthest from the cabinet.
paratus composed Of the pendulums
and magnets. The beakers and test
tubes were also on this shelf.
He had also arranged that the
cabinet should be SO situated that It
was next a hallway that ran past his
laboratory.
Tonight. Jameson" he said indi-
eating a spot on the hall wall just
back Of the cabinet, II shall want you
to bring my guests out here and do
a little spirit rapping-1'n tell you
just what to do when the time comes
That night when we gathered in
the transformed laboratory there were
Henry vandam. Or. Hanson. 1nspec-
tor O'Connor. Kennedy and myself.
At last the sound Of wheels was heard
and Mrs. Pepper drove up in a han
They both inspected the room narrow
ly and seemed satisfied. had. as I
have said, taken serious dislike to