Clue of the Silken Ladder Part 16

"Probably he was the one who sent the letter," said Penny alertly.

"Oh, no! He didn't know anything about it. I asked him."

"What is his name, Mrs. Hodges?"

"Al Gepper. He's such a nice young man and he talks so refined. I am letting him have the entire floor upstairs."

"That should bring you a nice income," remarked Mrs. Weems.

"I am asking only two dollars a week," admitted the seamstress. "He said he couldn't pay more than that."

"Why, Jenny," protested Mrs. Weems, "such a small amount hardly will cover the lights and various extras."

"I know, Maud, but I couldn't turn him away. He moved his apparatus in last night and will bring his personal belongings sometime today."

"His apparatus?" echoed Penny. "What is he, a chemist?"

"No," replied the seamstress, smiling mysteriously. "I'll show you the rooms."

Penny and Mrs. Weems followed the woman upstairs. The upper floor was divided into two small bedrooms with a wide, old-fas.h.i.+oned sliding door between which could be opened to make one large chamber. The larger of the rooms had been cleared of its usual furniture. Where a bed previously had stood was a circular table with six or eight chairs, and behind it a tall cabinet with a black curtain across the front.

"Mr. Gepper plans to use this room for his studio," explained Mrs.

Hodges.

Penny's gaze had fastened upon the cabinet. She crossed to it and pulled aside the curtain. Inside were several unpacked boxes and a suitcase.

"Mrs. Hodges, to what purpose does your young man expect to put this studio?" she asked.

"I don't know. He didn't tell me. But I think he intends to carry on psychic experiments. He's a student, he said."

"Mr. Gepper was afraid to tell you the truth lest you refuse to rent the rooms," declared Penny. "Mrs. Hodges, your roomer is a medium."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because I've seen trappings such as these before at other seance chambers," replied Penny. "Mrs. Hodges, you must send him away before he involves you with the police."

CHAPTER 10 _OUIJA BOARD WISDOM_

"Trouble with the police!" Mrs. Hodges echoed, regarding Penny with unconcealed dismay. "How can it be illegal to rent Mr. Gepper these rooms?"

"Renting the rooms isn't illegal," Penny corrected. "But if the young man conducts public seances here--filches money from people--then you may be considered a party to the scheme. This city has a local ordinance prohibiting fortune telling, mind reading and the like."

"I am sure the young man means no wrong."

"Penny," commented Mrs. Weems, "it seems to me that you are overly concerned. Why are you convinced that Mr. Gepper is a medium?"

"Doesn't this cabinet indicate it?"

"I thought it was some sort of wardrobe closet," Mrs. Hodges admitted.

"Al Gepper is a medium, or pretends to have spiritualistic powers," Penny repeated. "In my opinion you'll be very unwise to allow him to start an illegal business here."

"Oh, dear, I don't know what to do now," declared the seamstress. "I'll have to ask Pa about it."

She and Mrs. Weems started downstairs, expecting that Penny would follow.

Instead, the girl lingered to inspect the cabinet.

On the lower floor a door slammed, and there were footsteps ascending the stairway. She paid no heed, a.s.suming that it was either Mr. Hodges or his wife who approached.

The door swung open. Turning, Penny saw a young man, possibly thirty years of age, standing on the threshold. His dark eyes were sharp and appraising.

"h.e.l.lo," he said, without smiling. "Aren't you afraid a monkey may jump out of that cabinet?"

Penny, who seldom blushed, felt a wave of heat creeping over her cheeks.

"h.e.l.lo," she stammered. "You must be Mrs. Hodges' new roomer."

"Al Gepper, at your service. Who are you, girlie?"

"You guessed it," said Penny shortly, edging away from the cabinet.

Al Gepper remained in the doorway, blocking the exit with his arm. He did not move as the girl attempted to move past him.

"What's your hurry?" he drawled. "Stick around and let's get acquainted.

I'll show you some neat card tricks."

"Thanks, but I haven't time, Mr. Gepper."

"What's your name anyhow?" he persisted. "You're not Mrs. Hodges'

daughter."

"No, only a friend."

"You needn't be so icy about it," he rebuked. "Any friend of Mrs. Hodges'

is a friend of mine."

"I never make friends easily," Penny replied. "For that matter, I don't mind telling you that I have advised Mrs. Hodges not to rent you these rooms."

"Oh, you have?" inquired the man, his eyes hardening. "And what business is it of yours?"

"None, perhaps. I merely am not going to allow her to be taken in if I can prevent it!"

"Oh, indeed. Do you mind explaining?"

"It's perfectly obvious that you're one of these fake spiritualists,"