The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-06-15

the place where the limo had been, and must
there, in that place, possess ali the conscious
ness and intelligence which belonged to it
before the limb was amputated.
This argument may be pursued to some as
tonishing conclusions which do not vitality
concern the purposes of this relation.
might be asked, for instance, if the potenti-
ality of spirit is dependent upon its posses
sion and control of body, of what avail is it
to speculate upon the unseparated existence
Of the spirit of an amputated limb {? But
there are some who declare that this depen-
dence need not and does not always exist.
This, it must be understood, is not the line
of argument pursued by scientists, for they
have a purely materialistic explanation for
all the singular phenomena resulting from
amputation but are they not inconsistent
They admit the inscrutable mystery of the
principle of life and all its countless corol-
laries, and yet they ghbly explain the evi
IDENTITY marvellous results Of a serious inter
ference with the normal operation of that
principle, as il the case of amputation. Is
it not possible that there is danger of too
much explanation Of these wonderful mys,
teries?
Let US proceed with the strange story of
Nsrauya. After the loss of his arm, he devel-
oped an increased iendishness, an augmented
vindictiveness- His love for his master was
changed to hate, and in his mad anger, he
( flung discretion to the winds. He was so
unruly aud violent in disposition that he could
1 not conceal his feelings The rajah, proud,
seornful man, increased Neranya's hate by
treating him with contempt and scorn, which
( had the effect of driving the wretch to frenzy.
( In a mad moment he sprang upon the rajah
with a knife, bat he was seized and disarmed.
To has uasPeakable dismay, the raiah SEN
teuced him for this ofFense to suffer amputa.
ton Of the remaining arm. Il was done as in
the former instance.
This had temporary effect in eurbing the
mans spirit. OF rather in changing the out
ward manifestation of his diaboic nature.
Being Armess, he vas at first largely at the
mercy Of those who minis,ered to MS wants
a daty which | undertook to see was properly
discharged. for felt an interest in this horri-
bly, perverted and distorted nature. This
sense of helplessness, combined with damn
able scheme for reveage which he had secret.
" formed, CEASED Neranya to change his
keros. impetaoas, and Hnruly conduct into
smooth. quiet, iasingsting manner, which he
carried 50 artfally as not only to secure a
peace and comfort which he had never known
before, bat also to deceive those with whom
he was h1oughs 10 contact, including TIE rajah
himself.
Neraays. being exceedingly quick, nimble
and intelligent, aud having tremendous will,
,arned his attention 70 the cultivation Of dex,
teriiy in ais legs, feet and toes and in due
time he was able TO perform wonderful ieais
wiih those members, such as ! have noticed
already. His capacity, especially for dessrac-
tive mischief, vas restored.
One morning. the rsiah only sou, Young
man Of an exceedingly lovable and noble
character, vas found dead iu bed. His mar
der was singalary Atrocious one. The body
being musilated in a siekeniug manner, but,
in my eyes, the most significant Of all the
uusila.,oas was ,hs entire removal and dis
appearance Of the yOang asan's arms Ia The
wild distraction whioA raseed ia the palace
upon the discovery Of the matlased body.
the Importance Of that one fact was overlook
ed e wAs the basis, however, Of a minute
investigation which | made, and which, in
time, led me to the discovery Of the murderer.
The murder Of the young man nearly proved
the death Of the raiah, who was thrown into
n serious illness. which required all my skin
and attention to combat. IL WAS not, there
fore, until his recovery that there began 4
systematic and intelligent Inquiry into the
murder. | said nothing Of my own discover.
les and conclusions, and in no way ihteriered
~ish the work Of the rajah and bis officers;
bat, after their efforts had failed and had
completed my own work, / submitted TO the
rsjah a written report, making close analy-
SIS Of ell the circumstances, and closing by
charging Neranya with the murder.
Il still have copy Of that singular report,
and regre. that It's length prevents its inser-
,ion here Il deals with uousual facts and is
an illustration Of the value of special knowl
edge and pure reason in the detection Of
crime Ny facts, arguments and deductions
were 50 convincing that the rajah at once
ordered Neranya to be put to death, this to
be accomplished BY slow aud frightful torture.
The sentence was so cruel, so revolving. that
it tlled me with horror aud implored that
the wretch might be shot Finally, purely
through q sense Of noble gratitude, the rajah
yielded. When Neranya was charged with
The crime, be denied il, Of course but, seeing
taai the rsjah was convinced and upon being
shown my report (which embodied knowl-
edge Of anatomy and surgery that be had never
dreamed Of, he threw aside restraint, and,
dancing laughing, aud shrieking in the most
horrible manner, confessed his guilt and
goaied over tall this, believing that he
would be shot on the morrow.
During the night, however, the raiah chang
I ed his mind, and, sending, for me in the
morning, informed me Of his new decision.
T II was that Neranyas 5 life should be spared,
+ but that both his legs should be crushed with
hammers, and then that | should amputate
both limbs as close to the trunk as possible
was too much astounded to utter protest;
and, besides, there was grounded within me
that uuyielding, and often inhuman, medical
principle, which counts the saving of life at
any cost the highest duty. | may add that,
appended to this horrible sentence, was the
provision for keeping the manned wretch a
prisoner and torturiug him at regular inter-
walls by such means as aAerward might be
devised.
Sickened to the heart by the awful duty
which confronted me, nevertheless perform
ed it with success, and | must pass over in
silence the hideous details of the whole affair.
Let it suffice to say that Neranya escaped
death very narrowly, and that he was long
time in recovering his wonted vitality. During
all these weeks the rajah neither saw him nor
made inquiries concerning him, but when, as
, in duty bound, made an official report that
the man had recovered his strength, the raiah' S
eyes frightened, and he emerged with deadly
activity from the stppor of grief in which he
so long had been plunged. He ordered GER
tain preparations made for the future care
3 of his now helpless victim.
The rajahs palace was a noble structure,