The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-04-18

her, and she has not yet learned her
own power. But, beware! For it is
as 1 have told you, and you are play.
ing with fire.
Stanley smiled disdainfully.
"Thanks,'' he said, lightly. "Ad-
vice gratis, but not appreciated, as
usual. You have saved me heap Of
trouble, Van, in summing up the
knowledge of this library of the oc.
cult sciences with which you have pro-
vided me, and which makes my head
spin when I try to read it. I prefer
to take my wisdom in small and con-
centrated doses. Wait minute and
I will let you CO."
He went quickly toward a bureau
in the farther part of the room, and
when he returned, he carried a slender
dagger about a foot long, which he
had drawn from the sheath held in his
other hand.
"You recognize it, Van," he said.
"You remember giving it to me when
I lost the other one. 1t has your
name engraved on the steel. I have
kept it ever since as souvenir of our
friendship. am going to lend it to
you, but be careful of it. I couldn't
bear to have it lost"
A convulsive shudder shook the un-
conscious professor from head to foot
as Stanley, having returned the dag.
ger to its sheath, now placed it care
fully in the half-closed hand that fell
over the arm of the chair. ~
"Put it in your pocket, Van, and
keep it carefully till wanted"
Van Tassel's fingers slowly closed
upon the object he felt within his
hand, but he seemed to make deter.
mined effort to disobey the latter part
of the order. A cold dew of terror
was on his brow, his mouth twisted
horribly and his eyelids twitched;
and, raising his arm forcibly, he
strove to fling the dagger from him;
and he muttered:
"No, no; I will not! Though you
should summon the powers of hell to
help you, will not obey!"
But his fingers remained closed, and
his, arm presently dropped back,
.powerless, and lay dropping over the
arm of the chair.
"You mistake, Henri" said the
voice of Stanley. cold and menacing
and irresistible to the soul that heard
it. II said put the dagger in your
pocket and keep it safe till I bid you
use it. Do you understand"
IT understand, "moaned the victim.
"And you obey?"
II obey"
His hand moved quickly toward the
inner pocket of his coat, and the dag.
ger was carefully concealed there.
A few minutes later, Professor Van
Tassel was sitting up, pale and
trembling, but quite awake, helpless
ly gazing into the smiling face Of his
master.
"It is quite an easy matter to mes
merize you now said Stanley.
...After this, I shall be able to control
you at distance. You will obey my
thoughts"
Van Tassel shivered till his teeth
chartered.
4 "Clarence. you are merciless," he
said in husky whisper.
zsss.Not * bit Of it," laughed Stanley.
...Be good dog, and you will find me
q kind master. All, before I forget
It'll"
He drew out handful of gold and
bills and dropped them into the shak.
ing, outstretched hand of the miser-
able wretch before him.
4. ''And now 60 home and sleep. I
have had enough of you for tonight,
professor.
He unlocked the door and flung it
open, and as lie again closed it on the
retreating form of Van Tassel he once
more turned the key and shot the
bolt.
"Happily, he cannot pass through
bolts as we'll as locked DOORS" he
said, with q grim smile; "or else,
poor old Van, I think he would like
to come back and use the dagger now,
or, at least, when he finds that he has
it."
To RE CONTINUED.