“Of course,” laughed Penny. “But if I hadn’t, Al Gepper would have. He was trying hard enough!”
“He said you were resisting the spirits.”
“That was the worst sort of nonsense,” Penny returned impatiently. “Gepper is a fraud, and I wish you hadn’t told him about your inheritance.”
“How can you accuse him of being a fraud after you saw his marvelous demonstration? The table actually rose from the floor.”
“I know it did,” Penny acknowledged unwillingly. “But it must have been trickery.”
“How could it have been? The table was an ordinary one. Mrs. Hodges uses it every day of her life.”
“I don’t know how he did it,” Penny responded. “All the same, I am sure he’s a trickster. Promise me you won’t tell him anything more about yourself or the inheritance.”
“Very well, I’ll promise if it gives you satisfaction,” the housekeeper replied. “However, I do intend to keep my appointment.”
Penny had no opportunity to relate to her father what had occurred at the Hodges home, for Mr. Parker was absent on a two-day business trip to a distant town. Feeling that she must tell someone, she sought Louise Sidell, and they discussed every angle of the affair.
“Will you attend the séance with Mrs. Weems?” Louise asked her curiously.