The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-15
By MARY R. p. HATCH
The Missing Man
copyright by Lee & Shepard
Thrilling Startling Phase
Inh and Double

have unconsciously brought me to my own
door,
Perhaps not" said Mr.. Taylor, a quiet
man who had not before spoken. 81 have
read of instances of dual life where every
thing is changed. According to these you
would much more likely have gone i'm an
opposite direction. You have just told us
that your own name was the last to occur
TO. you. This would go to prove that with
loss of personality or identity go all remem-
brance of nearest concerns to the one so
afflicted"
Mr.. Hamilton listened with much atten-
ton, as did the others, and Mr. Taylor
was encouraged to proceed.
Sometimes set of faculties dor
mant, and others start up previously UNI
known TO exist. Sometimes one set of ideas
or recollections fail TO respond when called
upon. This is analogous to loss of memory,
which comes to us all when we grow older.
Memory is thing apart from conscious
ness. 1t is said to be q function of matter
| 10 be impressed with its own actions. When
| an action has been repeated many times.
or even once, strongly, the memory of 1t
| becomes stamped upon little cell of the
brain, and the stamp dominates the cell;
When the stinulant again comes, the cell
reacts as it formerly has DONE Now here
| comes the point in question. When the
| stimulant fails, from overwork or worry or
other powerful causes the cell is useless,
| the memory is gone, while other cells con-
| tinue active. perhaps more so than for
merly. 1 don't know that have made this
matter plain"
| He had not made the matter as plain to
| the others as 1t evidently appeared to him
| self, but he had at least thrown a little
| light on a hitherto Opaque subject. 1t was
| plain to see, however, that Mr.. Taylor be
| lieved the cashier might have himself Wis.,
| tied the bank and presented the note, after
| having altered IL, all without being respon-
| sible for the act, because under temporary
| suspension of his normal consciousness.
Science as applied to bank robbery
was something new and startling to the
| others. What might not man do under
| these conditions? Atavism was less strange
| to consider. And yet was 1t not true that
| human reason was often insufficient to set
against the commonest delinquency? In
| this instance it was not common. 1t was
unusual in every way-unusual for man
| of Mr.. Hamilton's antecedentS and char
acter to commit crime of such magni-
| tude, and unusual for him to return with
| the plea of a loss of identity. Believe the
| last and all becomes clear, scientifically
| considered Refuse to give it credence and
long line of inquiries and mystery started
| into being. Which was It?
Were nonplussed, all but Mr.. Taylor, who
had faith in his theory. He. evidently,
believed Mr.: Hamilton's statement.
! society there are no provisions made for
this sort of lapse. outside of insanity, and
man so afflicted can do no less than suffer
the consequences of his acts, however they
| may have occurred At least il is not fair
for others to suffer. The money, if taken by
your own hand, should be refunded and"
| Mr.. Taylor" interrupted the president,
| frowning little, "are you not little fast?
/ The matter it stands is of serious
| import. 1t will have TO be investigated.
was made out for arrest. and was. or is
| now in the hands of Bruce, the detective.
1t was made out by Justice Bailey. Sheriff
| as his deputy. l telegraphed Bruce last
night, and it is nearly time looking at
| his watch, for him to arrive You must
his watch, Tor him 10 arrive. You must
| Hamilton"
Il see" he replied. little pale but other
wise composed. las L said, l court the
closest inquiry. Points may be evolved
| which may mako il clearer to myself.
l thank Mr.. Taylor for his confidence in
me. or rather, for his belief in my state
ment"
| You must not think we doubt it, said
| the president, more mildly, because we
| say less There is no other course open
bur TO let the matter go into a natural is
| sue. Too much has already TRANSFERRED
You are right, without doubt" said Ham,
| ilton. But you must see that TO one. who
| TO his home imagining everything TO be
| in its normal condition. and who is first
| confronted by his own monument, then
| these suspicious. it is sufficiently con-
| fusng.
Certainly it is" said Mr.. Taylor;
though. undoubtedly Mr.. Hastings is
| right" mentally thinking that a specialist
| on mental arrangements would most likely
| be summoned, and the investigation be
| no less interesting and profitable than nec-
essary.
Several matters connected with the af-
| fair were touched upon. all of which in
terested Mr.. Hamilton deeply. In no way
| did he endeavor TO evade or conceal-or so
| IL seemed-any event or circumstance. In
| deed. IL was wonder. they all thought
| that his equanimity was little disturbed
| by what must have been trying ordeal.
| He looked in better health than when he
| went away. they thought-younger and
| brighter, and more alert. and they told
him so.
| II think so myself" he said. 1T must
have been my relief from wearing thought
and work. That Is all the way / can ac-
count for IT. When / went away nv nerves