The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-07
THE MISSING MAN
By MART r P. HATCH 1Autbar gf "7be Bank 7ragady."
cuyibtb Me dRaenkhw S

universally trusted? They had to be
to fill the positions they did. Now,
where are they? Both in Canada,
where suspect Hamilton is. Bruce
thinks SO too.
Il don't think so much Of Bruce as
you do, sir" said Osborn, with the
easy candor characteristic of him.
why, sir, Bruce has done all that
a man could do
Strange, wasn't it. about the man
Ashley hypnotizing the jailer?" said
Tony.
Eyes, it was. A man like that is
dangerous man.
But Hamilton had DO such power
that we know off, said Osborn.
HE would not be likely to let it be
known, if he had. If Ashley and
Hamilton are Identical, this business
at the bank here isn't the first piece of
dishonesty
Il don't believe they are Identical.
| believe that Ashley is another sort
of man, who may or may not re-
semble Hamilton, and who by hypno-
tism, or the milder forms of fascina-
ton, compels people to do his bid
ding. You recollect reading me what
Bruce said about the Valparaiso peo-
pie distrusting the other two men, but
Immediately succum bling to the in
fuence of Ashley. And that letter Of
Simon Lows, would you mind reading
again that passage where the man
presented the Bowles & Estes note ?''
No, here it is, paid him on the
spot; no, that isn't the sentence. Oh,
this is how it reads: When he en-
tered I thought he was a stranger,
but as soon as he grasped my hand
int NV, 70 ons I, -
was Hamilton
There it is, sir. I thought so. AS
soon as the man grasped his hand and
looked into his face Low knew that it
was Hamilton, tho at first he thought
him a stranger
Nothing strange about that, Tony.
People are frequently deceived in the
same way"
But if it was Ashley, and he was
such a man as he is claimed to be-, it
would have been an easy matter to
hypnotic Low and make him believe
what he wished
Why, Tony, you frighten mel
Where might we not all be If there is
such power afloat as that?" said Mr.,
Hastings, aghast.
We know there is, sir. I have
seen it manifested right here in
Grovedale, and if am not mistaken,
you were present, too, when DR.. Ma
jor exhibited his influence over the
minds Of his subjects
! Yes, I recollect, and, bless me! YOU
| went forward, didn't you?
I did, sir, and they told me T made
fool of myself; went around the au-
dlence offering flowers to the ladies'
tho had nothing in my hand but my
hat. I even climbed over the seats to
offer a rose to a lady in the back seat
| whom, according to the doctors state.
| ment, [ had sighted
| Il recollect it, and how Mrs, Fry's
+ son-I think it was ,Dan-went down
| on the floor and thru all the motions
OF swimming when Major told him his
! brother had fallen into the water and
ne must save him. It was pitiful to
see the poor boys anxious expression.
tho he looked con1ical enough
scrambling about on the floor as if he
were In the water. DIR. Major made
passes over his subjects
Yes; but the last thing that r
reoollected was of his holding my hand
/ and looking into my eyes. There are
dlfferent methods, they Say. Now, if
! Ashley possessed this power, it would
nave been an easy matter. having come
INTO the possession of those notes, to
that he was Hamilton himself
Tony, this Is a strange theory of
yours, not very probable, but still not
TO be dismissed without some atten-
ton. Clearly, whether Ashley or
hamilton, if possessed of such power,
Low might possibly have been infu.
enced as you suggest. wonder if he
would be a good subject
Low strikes me, sir. as being an
active, energetic man, but very trac-
table. Soldiers and sailors, and those
IN the habit of strict obedience, are
the pest subjects, it is said''
wen. well, Tony. you must own
t hI. !; ms is all the purest conjecture;
out II by any strange conjunction Of
circumstances your idea should prove
to be not without foundation. how
d!d Ashley come by the notes: whv
ala Hamilton go away with Mrs. Ash
/ icy; and where is Hamilton now ?''
me second question give over un-
answered, the other two, by thinking
OF Hamilton as in the power of Ashley'
are explained. Yes, and that might
explain the second, too
But how about the Italian theory.
must that go to the wall?"
me Two two might be united, some
now. Strange conjunctions occur At
times, but of course to, say what tbey
| were, or might have been, would be
1oolsh as we'll as useless
conclude you have thought this
matter up considerably"
Yes, sir. I have
Couldn't have been Ashley instead
of Hamilton you saw going into tha
bank, hey?" 49, tls.
No, sir! I was too far away to he
hypnotlzed, said Tony, smiling. "and
l know it was Hamilton himself
Well, said Mr.. Hamilton. thought
ruby this is a strange matter, and
perhaps we are only at the beginning
OF the mystery
That is what I think, sir. only
wish it might end by restoring HamiI.
ton to his home and to his place at the
pank, happy. honored man"
Amen. Tony
| ITO he cnnf;,,,ed N5.s<