The Mystery of the Invisible Dog - M. V. Carey [32]
Today Mrs. Bortz had her car bombed — and narrowly escaped injury. Then there was a fire in Mr. Murphy’s apartment. I wonder about that. I’d like to talk to Murphy. When he’s feeling better he may remember something.”
Bob frowned. “You think the fire wasn’t an accident?”
“It’s possible.”
“Hey, do you suppose Sonny Elmquist set it? He came to the rescue awfully quick.
Maybe he walked through the walls first, to light the fire, and then made a show of rescuing Murphy before the flames went too far!”
“How are you going to prove a crazy theory like that?” asked Pete.
“For a start,” said Bob decisively, “I’m going to talk to Dr Barrister.” He was referring to a professor of anthropology at nearby Ruxton University — a man who had helped the Three Investigators before with his knowledge of witchcraft and the occult.
“Maybe Elmquist didn’t set the fire, but he sure seems able to walk through walls. Dr Barrister may know of an explanation.”
“Well, I’m going to stick to the real world!” said Pete. “I think I’ll tail Elmquist when he goes to work. He says he’s going to the market, but we only have his word for it. I can also make sure that Hassell does check into that motel.”
“And I,” announced Jupiter, “am going to pay a few hospital calls. I need some information from Miss Chalmers and Mr. Murphy.”
Mr. Prentice looked alarmed. “I say! I had planned to go to the bank with you boys. I don’t want to carry all that ransom money by myself.”
“No, and you shouldn’t stay here alone,” said Jupe. “Do you have a friend who could keep you company?”
“Charles Niedland, of course!”
Prentice immediately called Niedland, who promised to be at Paseo Place in a few minutes.
Bob phoned Dr Barrister and then hopped in a cab. Twenty minutes later he was in the professor’s office at Ruxton University. The man’s usually bland face was bright with excitement.
“What is it now?” demanded Barrister. “What sort of mystic phenomena have the Three Investigators uncovered?”
Bob explained about the shadow-person who visited Mr. Prentice’s apartment.
“Hmm!” Barrister said. “I don’t believe this is in my field. I am an expert on the folklore of the Maori tribes and on witchcraft as practised in the Caribbean and other areas. What you describe seems to be a true psychic occurrence. I believe in many things which other people don’t take as the truth, but I do not believe in ghosts. However,” and here Barrister brightened, “I have a colleague whose mind is open on the subject.”
Bob chuckled. “I knew you could help us.”
“My pleasure,” replied Barrister. “Come along. I’ll take you to meet Professor Lantine. She’s the head of our parapsychology department. Half the faculty here think she’s loony and the other half are afraid she can read their minds. You’ll enjoy meeting her.”
Professor Lantine, whom they found in a bare little brick building behind the gymnasium, turned out to be a pleasant-looking woman in her forties. She was reading letters when Bob and Dr. Barrister came into her office. She looked up at Barrister with a broad smile and waved a piece of paper.
“Guess what?” she said. “This note’s from a man in Dubuque who claims he’s haunted by the ghost of his sister — but he doesn’t have a sister.”
“You have the most fascinating mail, Eugenia,” said Barrister. He sat down across the desk from Prof. Lantine and motioned to Bob to take a seat.
“This is Bob Andrews,” he said. “He’s part of a firm of private investigators, and he has a story which I believe will interest you.”
“Private investigators?” echoed Professor Lantine. Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Aren’t you a bit on the young side?”
“Youth has its advantages, you know,” said Dr. Barrister. “Young people have a lot of energy, a lot of curiosity, and not too many prejudices. Bob, tell Professor Lantine about your latest case.”
Bob again related his story of the happenings in Mr. Prentice’s apartment. This time he also mentioned