The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-04-02
From Clue to Climax.
BY WILL N. HARDEN.
copyright 1896. by J. B. Lippincott Col
CHAPTER XI.-CoNTINUED.


Slowly and cautiously they descended
the stairs At Whidby's door the hypno-
tiststopped, held up his hand warningly,
bent his body forward, and stood mo-
tionless for about two minutes. War
renton did not know whether he was
listening for a sound within or concen-
trating his hypnotic power on WILDLY.
In the dim moonlight that fell through
the frosted glass of the front door, the
colonel could see the doctors forehead
was wrinkled, and his massive brows
drawn together. Then the hypnotist
stood erect, took deep, full breath, and
said: Hes all right now; come in"
He turned the doorknob and entered.
WILDLY was lying on his side. In the
white light from without, his face
looked pale and thin. The doctor bent
over him and said, softly, but impera-
lively: Sleep! sleep! you are sleeping
now deeper and deeper. All, there you
go!" Then, to the great establishment
of the colonel, he turned, laughed aloud,
and spoke to him in an ordinary tone.
Good! so far it could not be better.
Now we are ready for the test. Ah!"-
AS he noticed the colonels start-"you
need not be afraid of his hearing us; he
is as far away as if he were dead. See"
the hypnotist chuckled with salts
faction as he pointed to the blood
stained chair near the bed and Whidby's
shirt upon it--"see, he has followed my
instructions to the letter. Good! The
folding doors, think, on the night of
the murder, were pushed back and the
curtains hung between; is that not So"
yes"
"All right" The hypnotist slid the
doors apart, and released the portiere
from the holders on each side. "Now
for your role, and then we will begin.
1t may not be very pleasant for you, but
you will oblige me if you will lie down
in the bed in the next room in the same
position as that in which they found the
dead man."
Warrenton stared; then he laughed
awkwardly, and said:
"All right; am at your service"
WILDLY won't hurt you, give you
my word" said the doctor. "Take off your
,cOat and throw down your suspenders-
so. Now off with that collar and cravat,
:and turn the shirt under at the neck,
this way. L would have asked you to
wear a night shirt, but l was afraid
you'd catch cold"
The colonel took off his slippers,
turned down the sheets, and got into
sthe bed, lying on his side with his face
to the window.
WAS that Strong's position?" asked
the thypnotist.
''As nearly as can remember"
"All right. Now let me cover you
$50. Now watch WILDLY, and don't stir
if he comes to you-not even if he
touches you rather forcibly. l assure
you be won't be able to hurt you"
"All right. / amaready."
The portiere was hanging between
the two rooms, but DR.. Lampkin held
it behind him as he leaned against one
OF the folding doors so that Warrenton
could see Whidbys bed. The colonel
could see the face of the hypnotist. His
great flashing eyes were fixed on the
sleeper, his brows contracted; all his
mental force seemed concentrated upon
one idea.
Come, get up, get up!" he said, pres
emily. in tone of command.
WILDLY caught his breath audibly, as
one suddenly waking from sleep. He
turned over, rose slowly, and put his
feet onthe floor. "Come, stand up!" the
hypnotist ordered, firmly. WILDLY
obeyed, looking as if be were wide
awake. do as you were told to do on
the night of the 10th of June. Do it, l
say! don't hesitate"
Slowly WILDLY walked toward the
window at the head CT his bed, but with