New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-15

The interruption was the more remarkable be
cause there was generally war-noI always paIgoii
- between the chief warder and the chaplain
Every one looked at Mr. Murray. 90
What is this | hear about the cells?" asked
Dr. Lvermore.
Yesterday the men were all locked In their
night-ces This morning they were all locked ias "a
out-that is, we found them all seemingly las'
asIecp each man in front of his cell-door
" They were all locked in except one man, ana
that man was Mankell-and he was the only man
who not locked I us the 6ec ahef sba he
had a finger in the pie p
ITS NV belief he did it all. Directly l set
sres upon the man | knew there was something
about him | couldn't quite make out lie ana IL
all iiaVe you neaiu' '''' A'" ~
s"VWr Murray was, in general, a reticent man.
II was not his way TO express decided opinions III
the presence of authorities, or indeed OF any one
elsc Mr. Paey, who knew his man, eyed him
WIN What was there odd about thatp
why. instead of the constable bringing him,
IL was him who brought the constable When
they opened the gate there was him with the
poIiceman over his shoulder.
In spite of Mr.. Murrays evident earnestness,
there Mere some of his hearers who were unable
=" Bn Won mean that the constable was drunk
That's the queer part of it. 1t was John
Mitchell I've known him for two-and twenty
Years. I never knew him to have glass too
much before saw him SO soon pa ry had
balfpints He was quite himself till he got
near the gate, when all of sudden he went queer
all oyer t.',,,, +h. ale was drucued.n suggested
'"e i IV don't know nothing about that, but ] do
know that the same hand that played that WICK i
was the same hand that played the trlcks WIN
the cells nix.
Consider a moment what you are SAYING
Nurray How are three hundred locks TO be
tampered with in the middle OF the night by a
man who is himself a prisoner? One moment.
Rut even that is nothing compared 10 the teat OF
carrying three hundred men fast asleep IN ped
bod and all through three hundred closed doors,
under the very noses of the officers on guard
think of doing all that sngle-handed!'
" II was witchcraft.' NJ.
When the chief Warder SAID tnls, MHjor
i'' "Witchcraftl The idea of the chief warder
Of an English prison talking about witchcraft
at this time of day It's quite time you were
PpThe man Markell certainly bewitched me.
"Bewitched you" As the Major faced the
cb,plain he seemed to find it difficult TO restrain
his feelings May | ask what, sort Of idea yon
mean 10 convey by saying he bewitched you
Il will explain so far as | am able. The
chaplain paused to collect his thoughts. AL eyes
we're fixed upon him. " | intended to say some
thing 10 the men touching the events of YESTERDAY
and this morning As | came down to the altar
rail was CONSCIOUS Of curious sensatloh-aS
| though | was being fascinated by a terrible gaze
rrnnonnce the first few words Involuntarily
looking round, met the eyes OF the man Markell.
The instant | did SO was conscious maj some
| thing had passed from him 10 me, something that
! made my tongue his slave. Against my VIII my
tongue uttered the words you heard Struggling
| with all my might, | momentanly regalned the
exercise Of my own will 1t was only for a mo-
nent for in an instant he had mastered me again.
/ Although | continued 70 struggle, my tongue
uttered the words he bade II utter. until sup
pose nv efforts 10 repel his dominion brought on
! q Kind of fit That he laid spell | am
assured.
There was pause when the chaplain ceased
! That he had made what he supposed 10 he a
plain and simple statement Of facts was evident.
! Bat then the facts were remarkable ones. IL
was the doctor who broke the silence
suppose We have the man in here so that
We can put him through his facngs :?
The governor str0ked his beard. =,
What are YOU going 10 say 70 him? ion
| can hardly charge him with w1tchcratt. lie is
here because he has been pretending TO magic
powers y
Tie doctor started.
no! Is that so? Then fancy we have the
case in nutshell. The man is what old-fash-
| ioncd people used to call mesmerist- hypnotlsm
they call il nowadays. and all sorts Of things.
~ But mesmcrsm won't explain the cells
Pm not so sure Of that-at any rate. il would
explain the policeman who was suddenly taken
queer. Let's have the man in here.
The whole thing is balderdash," said the
Major with solcmnty. am surprised, as a
man Of sane and healthy mind to hear e such stun
talked in an English prison of to-day.
AT least there will be no harm in our inter
viewing Mr. Markell Murray. see that they
! send him here The chief warder departed 10
! do tho governors bidding Mr. Palcy turned 70
| the chaplain According 10 you. Mr.. llcwett,
we are subjccting ourselves 10 some personal risk
| by bringing him here. Is that so
"You may smile, Mr.. Paley, but You may
find it no laughing matter after all There are
more things in heaven and earth than arc dreamed
| If in mans philosophy.
You don't mean 10 say. burst out the Major,
! ." that YOU, a man Of education, clergyman,
chaplain of nm English prison, believe IN witch
| craft
." II is not a question OF bclief-it is question
| OF fact That the man cast on me spell ! am
well assured Take care that he does not do
The governor smiled. The doctor laughed.
The cnormity Of the suggestion kept the Major
! tongue-ted till Markell appeared