The Holly chieftain., 1898-03-18

aftef tne D0r1ol tn1t COs WatfSnton
called to see him. He was shcwp MP 70
Whidby's room.
The young man rose from the table
at which he was writing. and shook
hnnds with his friend. He was pale.
thin and nervous. His eyes were sunk
en-. his hair and dress untids.
''Still up here in your new qnar;ers.r y
said the colonel. sweeping the rather
email room with glance. Il thought
you'd move back to your old ROOM
WILDLY shuddeFed. Il don't care TO
sleep there: by Jove. don't believe j
could close my eyes"
The two men had taken seats orpo-
site ench other, and the lawyer empha-
sized his next remark by laying his
hand firmly ON Whidby's knee .sMy
boy. this win never do. You'd never
make soldier. You've got TO rouse
yourself and shake 1t on. You'll lose
your reason II you go brooding over
this thing. To tell the truth. you arc
looking worse and worse every day.
Did you sleep last night?~
>.About two hours. MI told" replied
WILDLY. II know ! am in bad shape.
can see il and feel It."
Look here. rny boy" the colonel
slapped whidby's knee soundiy. II
want you to pull up and take trip to
Europe. 1t viii give you change OF
scene and something else to think
about. You'll be new man in q
month"
WILDLY rose and began TO place his
papers in order on the table. I'D never
be able to think Of anything else. no
matter where I was; and then it would
be like running away: by Jore. il would
be running AWAY. am sure that I've
done wrong in keeping back hat ma tier
from Hendricks. It's cowartly.'
You could tell them nothing TINT
would help them. and II would only
place you under deeper suspicion the
lawyer replied.
My God! I'd just MS soon be in a
prison cell as here under the awful I'M
certainty us to whether did it or not g
What did you say: What do you
meun?"
Wildly walked slowly from the table
and laid his hand on his friends shonl-
der
Il am afraid had something TO do
with the murder. cant figure it out
nny other WY. The blood on the cur
tain; the stain you found on the chair:
my dim recollection Of taking hold Of
the chair: the drop Of blood on my cuff
why. my hnnd--it was the righ, hnnd.
you know-must have been absolutely
wet with IT,"
Are you fool enough 10 think YOU
could have killed man in your sleep
without being conscious Of the act9 Be-
sides. remember the smile on Strong's
face: you're obliged to admi, -
That's exactly what puts me on this
line" WILDLY interrupted. II noticed
In New York paper an interview with
DR.. Henry Lampkip. the famous hyp-
motto expert. in which he said casually
that from what he rend of he case he
Judged that my uncle was hypnotized
by the murderer. Well Warrenton. /
am sure II were to tell him what oc.
CURED to me that night be would say
that l was also hypnotized--thnt
haps--I was made to do the deed for
some one else. Such things have been
done. Old mum. that is what Is trou-
bling me- 1t is awful"
There was silence for ii moment; then
the colonel said:
Ill tell you what would do. Alfred.
don't think you. could have been un.
der nny influence that night; but II you
are going to brood over the matter this
way till you are Insane. | propose TINT
we have DR.. I-ampkin to come down
here and give us his opinion. He Is said
to be wonderful man. and he may, ut
all events. give you some peace OF mind.
He IL said to be making marvellous cures
among intemperatc people. and chill
dren naturally oeprnved. through what
he cslls hypnotic suggestion. From
what hear of him believe he can be
trusted even in such delicate matter as
this.',
WhIdby'a face frightened. That's
just what ! want" he said. "Anything
il better than suspense. He may be
able to tell me whether | actually did
the deed. II he can assure me that II
was not my hand thnt held the knife.
he il welcome to every dollar of my
uncle's estate"
''Oh. he won't break us: his prices nrc
not high; he does great deal for NO pay
at all. But shall write him at once.
and report to you as soon ms his reply
comes. I believe hypnotism Is wonder
full thing. but something tells me that
it could not be carried to the extent you
fear. Besides, you may not have been
hypnotized at all; you may have been
slightly disturbed by the fellows move.
ments in Strong's room. and got up half
awake and gone-after the mnrdcr--to
his bed to reassurc Yourself. It may
have been then that you got your hands
in the blood without knowing IT,"
"Ah, you give me the first bit Of hope
I have had" cried WILDLY, Write 10
him at ones. wish he were here
now
"Til get him as soon ns be can como. !"
the colonel promised. and he rose TO go.
At the door he turned bnck.
II am trying TO work up . little clew
for myself" he said. II am fond OF this
sort Of thing. I'd give anything to beat
this expert detective and run our man to
the ground without consulting him.
By the wny, you and 7 might try to
think Of some motive for the crime. The
others are doubtless losing valuable
time In suspccting you. Now, do you
happen to remember II your uncle ever
had on enemy?"
"NOt that know Of" Whidby