The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-07-20


are better protection than all the
bolts and bars.
Il dare say you are right. 1t sounds
very sensible. III the same, do you
never feel nervous:
Never ami l sleep like top"
Well. | would not s. end a night in
that roori-sleep would be out Of the
auestion-with the door unlocked for
all Paris"
1t was quite true. did sleep sound
ly, but that night-probably from the
effect Of suppinS with O'I.a, Hertz and
some other pressman. l slept badly.
After doing one hour and lying awak"
two, rose. wound up the blind and
looked out. 1t was light of moon. but
the light was occasionally otscured by
drifting cloud. All was quiet in the
street and the house. l was turning
round with the intention 0: going to bed
again and wOoing 81. e. once more,
when thought heard the door creak
II ten intently. There can be no
que -t!on about it. Tne door does creak
an / fancy see it move.
Slipping into dark corner between
the be AMI door. l await Developments.
Slowly, slowly, the door is pushed
open, and a shrouded and hooded figure
glides nOiselessiy into the room and
W
right hand CLEANS knife.
AS he stooEs to See where to strike l
spring from my hiding place. dash the
weapon from his hand and hurl him on
the bed. The next moment. for he is
too much surprised to struggle, have
him 10y the throat and on his back. Just
then the moon energies from behind a
cloud, pouring a food Of light into the
room, and in the CHASTITY face and ter
! rited eyes Of the midnight murderer l
reco -niz 1t the features of-my friend.
; You, de Sou/a!" and surprised in
my turn, | relaxed my. grasp and let
+ him rise.
Davenport. Davenport. You here!
Why what are you doing in my room?
Why this vio.enre?" he asks in a hoarse
whisper.
Evidence, In Your room. What do
you mean? Are yu'l mad? This is my
room and you came here " kill me.
Here is your knife tpicking il up from
the floor. only minute ago dashed
it from your hand as you were i'll the
very act OF striking"
oh. my God. What an escape fOr
both of us, A He is my witness, Dav-
export, l knew not what | did. The
last thing | remember before | found
myself in Sour grasp just now is falling
asleep in my own room. ami must
he somnambulist. l have suspected
it for SIEVE al days, but l had no idea it
went to this fearful extent. You your
/ self proved my suSceptit iiity to hyp-
i notism. standardization is the same
thing; and yes, there can be no doubt
of it i am the murderer of Victor Del
mar.
You. Impossible! You are raving''
1, sd
it is only too true. The other night
left a ha!f-written letter on my desk.
In the morning | found it finished.
signed, addressed and stamped.
hail fallen into the hypnotic condi'
ton and done it au."n att ally and I'M
consciously. For years / have studied
the psychology of crime and played the
Part OF criminal investigator and anna
teur detective. | have considered cases
actual and imasinary-fr every
point Of view. Without the relo ;,
Intention Of committing crime. have inn
agined how crimes might be committed
without detection. / have had crime on
the brain. My own psychological state
became abnOr Haf You remember The
conversation a. the Cafe Anglais and
how trouble | was about ne.ma", ht
was always on my mnd-and kille,
That il the only solution of the mystery
And now have been repeating the past
demonstrating the crime, as the
French say. Thank God you Were
awake, Davenport. Yes, thank God
Will you denOunre ME to the police:
You may if YOU like.
"Denounce YOU Betray my friend
Good heav, rs, what do YOU take me for
Besides, there is no proof that you did
Kill Delmar. 1t is pure surmiSe. Ant
how about the money: His pocket:
were lied
81 suppose took the money to MAX
the poll, e believe that robbery was tn,
mnt.ve-and hid it awty somewhere
At any rate l have seen nothing o. it.
Il think you are wrong after all, d,
Souza. Idont believe. Anyhow, this
must te put a stop 10. You might 9,
Sleep walking into some Other body s
room"
You are quite right l shall go to tn,
Alps, live in III" open air and relnvigO
rate my overstra!ned nervous system.
shall also discontinue the stud o
crime and take up some saner and noble
pursuit. Meanwhile. must ask You t,
lock me in NY room every Sht. lo,
will not tel! Narie:'
OF course not.
. And now, my dear friend, l want I,
ask You very deli ate question. Ii
am wrong KIN W yol will pardon me
for it 5 rrnmptei solely hy a desire 70
your ha! pines. hav" fought some
. times that you admire my sister
More. de Souza. l love her Yo
have asked me the q estion and I an
swer frankly; also l admit as ;rankl
that it IS the mereat midsummer mad
ness for poor devil O: sbeiitor
, with - francs Il week. to think 0: low
and marriage.
thought as much. Eut YOU nceLn'
let any scruple of that sort stand in tn
way. Marie has an ample fortune an
l an her ole guardian.
/ As touching my cuurt-hip / will NJ
>av that for once the course Of tru
: love ran sm, nth. \ month later W,
We're married n SwitZeriani Fhili
= wa with us, fer until he was radirall
\ E r