"If there was a chance of a human being having committed these crimes," he said, "I'd be the first one to want to track him down, and send him straight to the chair. But nobody who has thought about the matter can present any theory that will account for the human element in the cause of the tragedy. Therefore, feeling certain, as I do, that our friends were killed by supernatural influences, I am ready to stay here a short time longer, in hopes of convincing the authorities up here that we are right. Moreover, I planned to stay here a month, and we've been here but little more than a fortnight." "I'm willing to stay for the same reason, Professor," and Eve Carnforth's strange eyes glowed deeply. "I too, know that no living beings brought about the deaths of Mr. Bruce and little Vernie, and I will stay the rest of our proposed month, if the others will." "I am ready to stay," said Milly Landon, quietly. "I've gotten all over my hysterical, foolish fears, and I _want_ to stay. I have a good reason, and if I hadn't, I'd be willing to stay to keep house for the rest of you." "Let's consider it settled, then," said Landon, "that we stay a couple of weeks longer. The astute detective, Mr. Peterson, thinks he can round up the villains who did the awful things, and if he can, I'm ready to appear against them." "We're all ready to do that," agreed Mr. Tracy, "and I'll stay a week or so, but I want to get away by the middle of August." "That's nearly two weeks hence," observed Norma, "I'd like to go home about that time, too. And all that's to be discovered, which, I suppose, will be nothing, ought to be found out in that time." "It wouldn't surprise me to have some further spiritual manifestations," the Professor stated, with a deeply thoughtful air. "I don't know why there wouldn't be such." "Not with fatal results, I hope," and Mr. Tracy shuddered. "I hope not, too," and the Professor looked grave. "But if we receive another warning, I shall go home at once." "I don't think we will," Eve said, "I think there was a reason for the wrath of the phantasms, and now that wrath is appeased. We must not provoke it further." "You know," Norma added, "the two who--who died, were scoffers at the idea of spiritual visitations." "Uncle Gif was," said Braye, "but little Vernie wasn't." "Oh, yes, she was," corrected Eve. "She made fun of our beliefs all along. And if she really made the Ouija write that message in a spirit of bravado, it's small wonder that the vengeance reached her as well as Mr. Bruce, who openly jeered at it all." "I can't think it," mused Tracy, "that sweet, lovable child,--full of mischief, of course, but simple, harmless mischief,----" "But, Mr. Tracy," Norma looked and spoke positively, "it's easier to think of a supernatural spirit wanting to harm the child, than a living person! What possible cause could a human being have to wish harm to little Vernie Reid?"