“Yes,” said Freeland, and there was a deep anger in his voice. “Yes. He’s got to be made to sit up. Can you manage it, Bones?”
My back was turned towards the other occupants of the room. I looked into Freak’s eyes, and winked.
At the next séance I produced the Pimple’s written questions for the inspection of Price, Matthews, and the Doc. Then I showed them answers prepared by Freeland and myself at the expenditure of much time and thought.
“I propose,” said I, “to send these as if they came from the Spook. It is no good wasting the Spook’s time over the Pimple; but you fellows will have to say, if asked, that we got this stuff at a séance.”
“The answers are pretty good,” said Alec, “and they hit him about as hard as he deserves, but they are not exactly characteristic of the Spook.”
“They won’t do at all, at all,” said the Doc. “He will know at once it is your work. Anybody with half an eye could spot your style, Bones.”
“Why not try the Spook and see,” Price suggested. “If the answers we get are not suitable, we can send this forgery.”
“But what’s the use of wasting time?” I objected; “the thing’s done already, and——”
“Ach! Come on, Bones!” The Doc. put his fingers on the glass. “Let’s get the genuine article. It’ll be as different as chalk from cheese.”