The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-04-10
By AAPYR. ?, HATCH, |
Author of
"The Bank Tragedy"

did not answer at once, and when he
did 1t was in hesitating way.
l cannot dispute you, Tony. Would
TO Heaven l could. But consider this
II 1t was l who came there, should
l not have come home? would not my
footsteps have unconsciously brought
me to my own door,"
Perhaps not" said Mr., TAYLOR. a
quiet man who had not before spoken.
L have read of instances of dual life
where everything is changed Ac-
cording to these you would much more
likely have gone in an opposite di-
rection. You have just told use 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 remembrance of nearest concerns
to the one so afflicted"
Mr.. Hamilton listened with much
attention, as did the others, and Mr..
Taylor was encouraged to proceed.
Sometimes one set of faculties are
dormant, and others start up pre-
viously unknown to exist. Sometimes
one set of ideas or recollections fail
to respond when called up. This is
analogous to loss of memory, which
comes to us all as we grow older.
Memory is a thing apart from
be function of matter sttq to to
be impressed with it's own actions.
When an action has been repeated
many times, or even once, strongly,
the memory of it becomes stamped
upon a little cell of the brain, and the
stamp dominates the cell. When the
stimulant again comes, the cell
reacts as 1t formely 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 continue active, per-
haps more so than formerly. l don't
know that 1 have made the matter
plain"
He had not made the matter as
plain to the others as it evidently APP
peared to himself, but he had at least
thrown a little light on a hitherto
opaque subject. 1t was plain to see
however, that Mr.. Taylor believed the
cashier might himself have visited the
bank and presented the note, after
having himself altered it, all without
being responsible for the act, because
under temporary suspension of his
normal consciousness.
Science as applied to a bank robbery
was something new and startling to
the others. What might not man do
under these conditions? Atavlsm was
less strange to consider. And yet was
it not true that human reason was
OFTEN insufficient to set against the
comnJonest delinquency? In this
instance it was not common. 1t was
unusual every way,-unusual for
man of Mr.. Hamiltons antecedents
and character to commit a crime of
such magnitude, and unusual for him
to return with the plea of a loss of
identity. Believe the last and all be-
comes clear, scientifically considered
Refuse to give it credence and a long
line of inquiries and mystery started
into being. Which was it?
The gentlemen sitting about the
table were nonplussed, all but Mr.. Tay-
lor, who had faith in his theory. He
evidently, believed Mr.. Hamiltons
statement.
But" said he. Sin the present state
of 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 consequence OF
his acts, however they may have oc-
Cured AT least it is not fair for others
to suffer. The money. if taken by
your own hand, should be refunded
and"
mr.. Taylor" interrupted the presi-
dent, frowning a little "are you not
little fast? The matter as it now stands
is of serious import. 1t will have to be
Investigated. 1t is not one of science
merely. A warrant 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
Gray is away on business, and Bruce
acts as his deputy. l telephoned Bruce
last night, and 1t is nearly time"
looking at his watch, "for him to ar