Phil began to grasp the idea. Then:
“What gave Miss Sylvia her present notion?”
“She went to another medium,” Cranston explained. He was picking up the telephone as he spoke. “The result was what they term a direct voice message, telling Sylvia to visit the banshee haunt and take her friends.”
“Somebody bribed the medium to pipe that yarn?”
“Very probably,” acknowledged Cranston. “It seems to be the custom. All done anonymously, though.”
A voice was answering from the number that Cranston had dialed and the voice belonged to Margo Lane. Glad that Lamont had called, Margo gave a breathless report which Cranston then relayed to Phil.
“A friend of yours is going along,” said Cranston. “Arlene Forster. Somebody phoned her and gave my name, inviting her to join the party. She phoned Sylvia and Margo was there to learn about it.”
“So that’s the stunt!” exclaimed Phil. “It will give Arlene her chance to work the banshee game. I get it now; somebody is after old Sylvia’s money!”
“That’s what the police think,” agreed Cranston. “The commissioner is so keyed up that he’s forgotten Ames and Older. He just won’t believe they’re linked with Central Park.”
“It’s Ronjan’s work!” expressed Phil. “I’m going out to that banshee pool myself -”