The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-02

sleep, m esmeric, hypnotic, call it what you
will. They nave been hypnotized by being
forced to stare at that light which is Ger
tainly binding. ! would advise You not to
look at il too much, or you may find your
nelf in the same fix as our friends. l think
that, into the bargain, they have been sub
jectsd to mesmerio passes and, as l
studied the subject q little in my younger
days, I am going to try and bring them out
of their sleep by the same means. If I don't
succeed We must then adopt other meas
ures."
ut certainly does seem like an ordinary
Sleep" said Guyon, peering anxiously into
his friends faces. 'The features are in re-
pose, and their breathing quite calm and
regular. In spite of my own arguments,
one would take it to be an ordinary, resttul
Sleep"
"What puzzles me,'' said the doctor, ''is
this, Who can have done this to them?
But they will soon answer that themselves,
hope. To work."
Placing himself Immediately in front of
the aleepers-unconsoiously he had taken
the vacant place and position of the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS doctor commenced q
series of gestures and movements with his
hands.
Commonplace as the action was, some in
ternal effort seemed to affect the doctor
strangsly; the veins of his forehead stood
out in thick lines, aud the lieutenant could
see great drops of perspiration fall from his
face. At the end of ten minutes there was
no result. go. -
Stretched out in the attitudes in which
sleep had surprised them, one would have
Az lnl ~~aD0aIt eOr nvnArn &~
death but for the slight movement of their
chests and the color of their faces, which
plainly denoted life.
The lieutenant did not move for fear of
int%srruptinR the experiment. and Hassan.
standing behind him, held his breath as he
gazed alternately at the doctor and his
three ''subjects." As for Professor Hassel-
fratz, from the moment that he had left the
oar he had stood motionless before the
figure of the sur. With fixed eyes, n
mesmerised. He had not so much as given
one look toward the sleepers.
Doctor Hardy continued his passes"
At last Catherine gave a slight start. She
half raised herself, and passing one hand
across her forehead, murmured in an uncer-
tain, troubled voice: Maurice! Leilav'
Then her eyes opened and she looked
around her with surprise. At the same
moment her brother awoke. His first move
msnt was an effort to spring toward Gather
inc, but suddenly his eyes fell upon the
doctor, Guyon, Hassan, and the German.
His friends surrounded him, an the pres
sure of their hanos as they explained their
presence assisted in restoring his whole
faculties. The after effect of their hynotio
trance made it difficult for Maurice and
Catherine to collect their ideas, and their
first answers to the questions of their friends
we're confused and indistinct.
Suddenly little Hassan throw himself at
GATHERINGS feet, and, bursting into tears,
cried:
''Khanoum! Khanoum! Where ia Leila ?
Where is the master? She left the grotto
with you. Where ia she now? And the
Sahib-he was with the Mobed! Where is
my master Where is Leila ?"
Catherine again passed her hand over her
brow and made a visible effort to collect
her thoughts.
YES! But-Leila was here by my side !!
held her hand. l am sure of it. And the
old man! You remember, Maurice Was
he not here, standing before US 1t seemed
to me as if a mist rose between him and us?
i'll a nightmare with ones eyes open! And
Leila, she, too, was afraid! Oh, yes! l
rsmember,-sle called out Grandfather /!
Enough! Stop" After that I can remem-
Der nothing more!"
DIR. Hardy and the lieutenant had listened
anxiously to every word that foil from the
girls lips.
"rhen it was this gueber who threw you
into this sleep?" asked the doctor, making
q few further "passes" in front of her.
"Sleep?' repeated the brother and sister
together.
1T was nothing more. Look at YOU ser
want there. He 10 still asleep A deep,
sonorous snore from Gargaridi fully verified
tina DOCTORS statement. He WAS sleeping
as soundly as some tired child.
The sight of his servant thoroughly
aroused Maurice. He fastened toward him,
shook him by the arm and called his name,
and finally dragged him to his feet. A few
movements of DIR. Hardy's hands COM
pletely revived the worthy Aristomene,
whose first words were: "a drink! Give me
a drinkH' adding the next moment II
think ] could eat something's am dying of
hunger!'
Thanks to the stores which Hassan car
ried. Gargaridis mouth was soon fully
occupied.
The doctor forced Maurice and Catherine
to drink a few drops Of brandy from the
flask he carried, and soon the young peo-
pie, now thoroughly themselves, were able
to listen to the events which had passed
previous to their friends arrival. and to re-
misfortunes.
The whole party arrived at the same con-
clusion. The Rueber, under the pretense of
causing them to lose their memory" had
thrown them into the hypnotic trance, and
then, his end accomplished, had carried off
his daughter and LIT them to their fate.
AZ tho thought Of tho old mans treachery,
Catherine could scarce keep back her tears.
Poor Leila!'' she said. "What sorrow 10
will cause her, il her Y andfather has really
acted SO! We must so and comfort her.
Maurice, and let her know that We are
saved. Let us leave this place! 1t ILLS me
with horrors! Quick! gentlemen, l beg you.
am dying to see the light of day and to go
to that Door ri l."
Certainly, my child" said the doctor; II
nm just AS eager to 500 you safe and sound
again In the open air. But, one moment
had we not better decide what is to be lone
with all this treasure. Those stone must
DO OF enoi nous value"
Yes, doator.' inter upted Lieut.. Guyon.
"but the royal frmnn which / have brought
to Maurice comedies to him the exclusive
right of making excavations. but-on the
express condition that nothing shnll be
-"'ied away, not u brick, not even u