The Irish standard., 1897-06-05


night. I'll be round here in the morn
ing"
CHAPTER XII.
The next morning about ten Miss
Annette Delmar was admitted to the
drawing-room of. the Strong residence.
She was thickly yelled. She told Mat
tl,ews she wanted to see Mr.. WILDLY
at once. AS she took her seat she heard
voices in the library across the hall.
She recognized Whidby's voice and Col.
Warrenton's. and now and then heard
masculine tones she did not recognize.
She rose when WILDLY came in, but was
startled at the sight of his pale,
troubled face.
"Don't scold me-" she said, extending
her hands and speaking tenderly. II
could not let another day pass without
seeing you after my weakness yester-
day when you told me about your fool
ish fears in regard to hypnotism and
your being the-the tool of some one
with that power. I was SO mortified,
you seemed so earnest about it, and
it shocked and frightened me so that l
could not comfort you. But now that
] have thought it all over I am not
worrying at all. Dear, it is only imag-
ination on your part. You have read of
such things and fancy them possible to
yourself. I don't believe word of it.
You had nothing in the world to do with
it. 1t is only an absurd idea"
WILDLY put his arm round her and
drew her to sofa. He did not speak for
a minute, but sat stroking her gloved
hand. Then he said:
"You ought not to come here, dear;
it is imprudent; butt it makes me very
happy, for it is elichs a strong proof OF
your love and confidence. Unfortunate
~, however, mysna o,bid fears have just
been confirmed.na DR.. LamplSin, the
hypnotic expertJ;o of, whom I spoke
yesterday, is inc the library with Col
W"rrenton. There is now no doubt that.
was hypnotized and made to do tho
deed.'' rel e: - -:
.What? Oh, ktfred!" Miss Delmar
paled, and he felt her shudder as she
leaned nearer to Him:
"There is no finger any doubt about
it," he repeated. ns"Dt Lampkin has just
been giving me a gold talk against wor-
rying over what can't be helped. and
really I do feel more hopeful about it.
Besides. all may cok,e out well in the
end" -.
"But-but how do you know you did
it? It's perfectly absurd!" .,.
''Ehey put me to test last night. I
won't trouble you with it. 1t would
only try your nerves to go into details.
I knew nothing about it.. I was hypno-
tized after / fell asleep, and they got
sufficient proof to convince them. Now,
don't get excited, darling: you are
trembling all over. just as you did
yesterday"
Miss Delmar drew her hands from his
clasp and covered her face.
"Oh, can't bear it! simply cannot
bear to think that you did it in-in such
horrid way. Alfred, you didn't! You
didn't"
The door bell rang. WILDLY sat star
ing into the frank eyes of the girl. UNI
able to form ulate reply. Neither spoke
just then. They heard Matthews go to
the door and open it.; then a gentleman
entered the drawing-room.
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. WILDLY
he said. II am Minard Hendricks, the
detective who witnessed the proceed
ings in your bedroom last night. I
thought L might find DR.. LampSin and
Col. Warrenton here" -s
'They are now in the library"
answered WILDLY. Matthews will
notify them that you are here. Take
seat, Mr.. Hendricks"
Miss Delmar arose and extended her
hand to WILDLY.
II must be going" she said, in low
voice.
Il beg your pardon" said Hendricks.
"You are Miss Delmar, am sure. L.
would not det,ain you, but am certain
that 1 can tell you something you would
like to- hear. Now, see,'' Hendricks.
went on, smiling reassuringly. "that
you think am pretty bold to intro
duce myself in this abrupt way; but
you must remember that am detec-
tive, and that it is my business some
times to introduce myself without
much ceremony"
Miss Delmar smiled family and
bowed. "Of course; that is your right,
sir" she said. -.
Then Col. Warfq4eentbn and DR.. Lamp
kin came in. ~
Good morniag,r gentlemen" said
Hendricks. II hays been thinking over
our mutual Investigations Of last night.
and have come to the2concluaion that it:
cannot harm ma proceedings to en-
deavor to remove q. false impression!
from your minydffeo in regard to Mr.
Whidby's actions When hypnotized by
the criminal. could have told you the
truth last night9obnt was not quite
ready to do so" liz
"You don't think he was made to do
the deed" asked DR.. Lampkin.
HE didn't" broke in Miss Dclmar,.
excitedIy. II doust tsee how anyone
could think so f6f moment"
Hendricks smiled. That's the way,
I like to hear it expressed" he said to
=