The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-06-28
CHAPTER xlli-contlnued.

are We to know that you did not write
those messages yourselfT'
Without a smile ON his face BARLEY
replied: i did not intend TO turn out
the light. l am going to do what few
mediums ever attempt to do: that is.
to see II we can secure a message on
these states In full light. There have
been SO many frauds In slate-writing
seances that a test made In the dark
has no value"
AS he spoke he tore the wrapping
from the package and disclosed num-
Der OF ordinary school states tied to-
gether with string. When he had
cut the string and placed the states
on the table before him, he added :
"You might claim that these states
already have a message written on
them. so l will wash the surface OF
each with water. II there was any
writing on them. IL will be wiped out"
With our eyes following every move
ment, he took a piece OF cloth. dipped
II into the glass of water. and care
fully washed one side Of a slate. AS
he was beginning to wash the other
side. he paused and said TO Currie.
you may think l have not washed
the slate thoroughly enough; suppose.
Currie. you take II and wash the
other side yourself Make good Job
OF IT,"
iaughable as he took the slate and
turned It over and over, examining
both surfaces. When he had finished
he whispered to me. "There was not
a darned thing on that slate"
The same method was employed
with the other states First, BARLEY
would wash one side. then would call
upon one Of us to examine the slate
and wash OF the other side. l was
left until the last. and l examined
my slate very carefully before
touched II with the cloth. On the side
which BARLEY had washed little drops
of water still chung. The unwashed
side was dirty but showed no traces
of having been written on.
When had finished my task. Bart
ley took one OF the states and said /
"You have seen there was no writing /
Of any kind on these states. ! am go
sng to give one TO each OF you. Miss
Potter should place hers under her
feet; Currie might SIT on his; the rest
OF you can place them under your
coats"
He gave us each a slate, and we
did as he suggested. / wondered, as
| placed mine under my coat. just
what Barley expected TO discover.
the whole thing seemed so
absurd. He was so serious about IL,
however, that began TO believe that
be must expect to receive a message
~ some sort. We sat silent and ex-
)ectant. I. for one. feeling a little
foolish.
BARLEY. who had glanced at his
watch several times. waited for FIVE
minutes TO pass before be said. Sup
bose. Currie. you look at your slate"
Currie grinned, as II to say he con-
idered II all foolIshness. but did as
As he glanced at his slate.
he smile left his face. his jaw
Iropped. and his eyes grew big with
sonder. He looked at IL several sec
DDS as II he could not believe his
yes. then slowly passed II 10 me.
ook IL eagerly. glanced at II, and in I
~ turn was startled. There. how
yer. In a sprawllng hand. running 4
cross the slate that had been blank 7
few moments before. was written.
Currie. people who steal whisky out I
Z a vault AZ midnight viii come 20
bad end" r
Almost unable to credit my eyes, q
stared at the slate Both sides had r
cen so thoroughly washed that when q
urrie had taken II they were still
ct. How the writing had gotten >
D the slate. I could not imagine.
Miss Potter gave a sudden cry. She 0
ID risen 70 her feet with shining q
res Holding her slate In one trem- y
Ing hand. she tried to speak. failed, U
len cried triumphanfiy ITS mes =
Ige-a message from Mr. Sfykei d
lew II would come" and sank back Il
10 her chair. SIDING. as n unable n
believe the evidence Of her own
nxes. ITS IN his own handwriting. a.
s very own. and be tells me what r
do n
BARLEY took the slate from Der
ernbiing fingers. q curious expres- n
% on bis face. lie placed Il on the n
be. and ~ crowded round 70 cram IA
e r. This time the entire surface "a
the slate was covered with writing. d
the same sprzwiing hand that had b
-iifen on Currie's and mine The
to- were large and looked as n n
e person who had written the mes OF
re had been very weak. Too aston 81
red 10 speak. We bent and read:
-Afl win be well with me n you aid IN
ose who are trying to discover who vi
'ured me- For my peace. do this bs
ten to the medium" and the mes
- L. 4 -