Not looking toward his “property,” Wise went on talking. “I can readily see how any one willing to believe in the occult could turn these weird happenings into plausible proof. But it is not so. Miss Carnforth’s own story convinces me even more strongly that there has been diabolical cleverness used, but by a human being, not a phantom.”
“And you will discover how, you will solve the mysteries?” asked the Professor, eagerly.
“I hope to. But it is the most difficult appearing case I have ever encountered.”
“It is not an eleventh case, then?” and Professor Hardwick told again of Andrew Lang’s percentage of proof.
“No, it is not. It is one of the ten that are the result of fraud. Now to find the perpetrator of the fraud.”
“At least you must admit, Mr. Wise,” said Eve, a little spitefully, “that your saying it is a case of fraud does not make it so.”
“No,” agreed Wise, smiling in an exasperatingly patronizing way, “it sure does not. In fact it has already made itself so.”
“And your discovery of the means used is bound to come?” asked Tracy, with interest.
“Bound to come,” repeated the detective. “But don’t let us begin by being at odds with each other. I came here to discover the truth. If any one wants the truth to remain undiscovered, now is the time to say so. For it will soon be too late.”
“Why should any one want the truth to remain undiscovered?” said Braye, abruptly.