“No assignment would please me more, Dad. I’ve the same as promised Mr. Gepper he’ll land in jail, and I want to make good.”
Mr. Parker began to pace the floor. “I’ll write a scorching editorial,” he said. “We’ll fight ignorance with information. Our reporters must learn how these mediums do their tricks, and expose them to the gullible public.”
“I’ll do everything I can to help,” Penny promised eagerly. “May I have Al Gepper for my particular fish bait?”
“He’s your assignment. And I’m depending upon you to see that he doesn’t work any of his trickery on Mrs. Weems. If she can’t be persuaded to remain away from the Hodges’, then we must protect her as best we can.”
“I’ll try to accompany her every time she goes there, Dad. I am afraid he may be after her money.”
“Gepper doesn’t know she inherited six thousand dollars?” Mr. Parker asked in alarm.
“Yes, she dropped the information that she had come into money. He supplied figures himself.”
“I wonder how?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea, Dad. Gepper is as clever a man as ever I met. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if he does produce Cousin David at tomorrow’s séance.”
Mr. Parker snorted in disgust.