The Spook gave full instructions. It pointed out that the letter referred to two mediums who had received a telepathic message. It reminded the Turks that Hill and I had recently given a public exhibition of telepathy. We were known as telepathists to the whole camp, and there were no others. Therefore we two must be the mediums indicated. And it informed them that the camp believed in our powers as thought-readers and thought-transmitters, and would admit that belief if properly taxed with it, thereby justifying the Commandant in sentencing us to solitary confinement.
The obvious course was, therefore, for the Commandant to set about obtaining this admission of belief, without the camp knowing beforehand the purpose for which he required it. The Spook advised him to set a trap, and showed him how to do it. He should say he was interested in telepathy, and having heard of the recent exhibition, he would like to talk over the matter with the two principals and with any other officers who cared to come. The Spook suggested that the Doctor in particular, as a “man of science,” should be invited. Having got the company into the office, the Commandant would question them as to the possibility of telepathy. He would find that they all considered it perfectly possible, and that they regarded Jones and Hill as exponents of the new science. On the strength of this confession of faith he could produce the Spook letter and ask of Jones and Hill if the telepathic message therein referred to had been received by them. They would admit having received it. He would then demand the names of their confederates, which they would refuse. He could then formally charge them with being in telepathic communication on military matters with persons outside, and as their fellow-officers had already given evidence that Jones and Hill could send and receive thoughts, he could convict and sentence them without any fear of local disapprobation or of unpleasant consequences from Constantinople. “If you do not carry out the plan,” said the Spook in conclusion, “there will be trouble.”
“As a matter of fact,” the Pimple said, buttoning the record of the séance inside his coat, “you and Hill can be honestly tried for obtaining this war news. You have been doing it, so the Spook is not telling lies.”
“But don’t tell the Commandant that,” I begged.
“You are again doing as in Kut,” said Moïse knowingly.
“As in Kut?” I was genuinely at a loss for the moment.
“Yes! When Townshend employed you to read the minds of our Turkish generals,” said Moïse, resurrecting Freak’s lie of six months before.
“The devil!” I exclaimed. “Who told you that?”
The Pimple looked very proud of himself. “Never mind,” he said. “I, too, know things.”
“I wish I was out of this,” Hill said. “It is too dangerous. I would like to withdraw from the whole business.”