The Portland daily press., 1899-09-21

lance he may be from me, provided our
minds are occupied with the same sub
ject at the same instant"
The inspector sinote the desk heavy
blow with his clinched fist.
II see," he cried, "and by heavens it's
wonderful. That accounts for your abb
straction, then" he queried.
YES" answered the hypnotist YEARLY,
and relapscd into silence.
The official. understanding the situation
now, quietly awaited a continuation OF
this extraordinary story.
In a short while the stranger spoke
again.
Il may explain that In sucn an effort 1
have not the same absolute control Of the
subject that would have il placed my
hands upon him. He may retain GER
tain independence Of thought, yet is un-.
| able to control bis actions. He must
obey my will. though be may be aware
| that he is being forced. Well, decided
to bring my powers to bear on the muir
derer."
"A long pause cnsued, which was finally
broken by the deliberate tones of tho
| visitor.
"My method was to, as Il were, throw
out mental wire which should reach
in every direction, cropping its way and
feeling for the point which should COM
plete the connection. This would be the
mind dwelling upon the same subject that
occupied my own, and when my mental
wire crossed such a mind my task would
be to hold its possessor by my will, and
compel him to follow this imaginary line
until he stood before me-"
The hypnotist stopped. and a termor
went through his body. He soon took up
the story, however, and in the same calm
voice went on:
II realized that to attempt such a thing
when the excitement was at its height
was but to merely waste my vitality. So
1 impatiently waited until the crime had
become thing OF the past and not likely
to be thought of to any great extent ex-
eept by the one above all who could
hardly be expected to forget 1t. / did
not overlook the poor victims family, nor
your own men, Mr.. Inspector, and To-
Gated these for the purpose Of avoiding
them. Six months after the murder /
commenced my wearisome task, and with
but little rest have been constantly en-
gagged for nearly three months in the
search. l viii not weary you with the
details"
But" interjected the official, "what
result have you attained that caused you
to so confidently assert that the criminal
had been foundT
The hypnotist had fallen into pro-
found stupor, and his features worked
convulsively, while his colorless lips
trembled and twitched violently. Tho
inspector was about to order physician,
when the strangers eyes opened and
stared vaguely into space.
Yesterday, about noon." and the voice
was lower and more labored than be-
fore, II knew that my patience had been
rewarded. for the mental wire found its
point of connection, and l felt that the
murderer was not far away. Since then
have not eaten or slept and with his
approach the strain Is heavier"
The inspector had been greatly inter-
ested in the narrative, but set it down
as the imaginings of an overweight
temperament, and he wished it might end
for the sake of the poor fellow in the
chair before him, who looked as il
touched by death.
"He is even now near by" whispered
the hypnotist, "and is struggling terribly
to free himself from my will l do not
know what manner of man he is physical
ly, but he has a powerful mind, though
not of highly intellectual order. Secreto
me, and see to him when he enters"
The earnestness of the speaker strongly
impressed the inspector, and he wondered
IL it all really meant anything He or
dered screen placed before the hypno-
fist, who now, with eyes dilated and
hands clinched, was gasping for breath,
while bits of foam hecked his lips. He
was surely undergoing a terrible mental
struggle.
Harkl A shutting, hating uneasy step
is heard in the hallway. A shrill shook
the detectives frame. Could it be that,
after all, this thing was true? Bah! I'm
possible. The steps draw nearer, how
ever. The visitor was quivering and
twisting pitiably. A hand scrapes against
the door. 1t seems to play about the
knob, as If fearful of touching it, yet
forced to do so by an irresistible power.
Grasp the knob, turn it and enter"
murmurs the hypnotist.
The hand finally rests on the knob, |
which slowly turns. Instantly the occu-
pants of the room, with the exception of |
the stranger, spring to their feet, with |
nerves tense and faces white with ex-
citement in spite Of their long experience
with criminals.
The door opens and there enters a man
of medium height. but. of burly frame,
with haggard face, bloodshot eyes and an |
air of abstraction. He holds back as il |
conscious of something against his well |
fare. He bore the marks of hard usage |
and was evidently of the lower class, |
though his head was of fine shape.
The hypnotist seemed to be making a |
supreme effort, CHASTITY in its intensity.
Advance and speak," he commanded |
feebly.
Cnwillingly, but surely, impelled by the |
unseen force, the newcomer approached |
the desk
"Cap'n," said he in husky, strained |
voice, Il done it,"
"What. my man?" inquired the inspec.
tor, who, though still wondering at this /
marvellous denouement, had regained his |
professional instinct and was again the
alert official.
"The Force MURDER" blurted out the
fellow, "and / come to give myself up. ] |
don't know what's the matter with me
sense yestiddy. l warn't a-goin to sur