The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-02-03

hypnotised 10 do a thing whicn. In mis-
hornal condition. would be profoundly
repugnant TO him. Indeed. few men
can be hypnotised against their will.
To be hypnotised, you have to yield
yourself. OF course. the more you yield
yourself, the weaker you grow. but
that doesn't apply to Swain. / shouldn't
advise you to use that line of argu-
ment to a jury" he added, with a
smile. You'd better just leave the
whole thing up in the air"
Well" 1 said. "Pll make the best
fight can. was hoping Swain could
help me: since he can't, We'll have to
trust to luck"
Godfrey left us to get his story of
the morning hearing into shape, and
| fell into a gloomy revery. l could
see no way out of the maze; either
Swain had touched Vaughan's body,
or 1t had been touched oy another man
with the same finger markings. ]
sat suddenly upright. for If there was
such a man. he must be one OF two
What is it?" Swain asked. looking
at me.
"A long shot" said. IAN exceed
iingly long shot-a three hundred mil
ion to one shot. How many people
are there in the world. Swain"
I'm sure l don't know" and he
stared at me in bewilderment.
Il think it's something like a billion
and a half. 1t that Is true then it's
possible that there are four people in
the world. beside yourself. with the
thumb and two fingers of the right
hand marked exactly as yours are.
We must have a reunion. some
day" Swain remarked. with irony.
But l refused to be diverted.
Allowing for imperceptible differ
ences." l went on. Il think 1t is safe
to assume that there are 10 such peo-
pie"
We'll" said Swain, bitterly, L
know one thing that 1t isn't safe to
assume and that is that either of those
Hindus is ono of those 10. l suppose
that Is the assumption you will make
neXt?"
Its an assumption intend to put
to the proof anyway" answered,
somewhat testify. land II II falls, I'm
afraid you'll have to go to jail till
can dig up some more evidence"
He turned toward me quickly. his
face working.
See here, Mr.. Lester" he said.
don't misunderstood me. I'm awfully
grateful for all you're doing for me;
but don't mind going to jail-not on
my own account. I'm innocent. and
I'll be able to prove It in time. But
Marjorie mustn't be left alone. I'd be
ready to face anything II l knew that
she was safe. She mustn't be left In
that house-not q single night. Prom
ise me that you'll take her with you
as soon as the inauest's over!
"ru promise that. Swain. gladly"
said, provided, of course. the doctor
consents"
we must get him." and Swain
sprang to his feet I'VE must explain
to him how important it IS"
Perhaps l can get him on the
Ia
answered told me that he had already
started for the inquest. And, mo-
ment later, Mrs. Hargis tapped at the
door OF the study and said that the
doctor was outside. 1 told her to show
him in at once.
The truth is" said Human. shaking
hands with both OF us, II thought I'd
drop in to find out If there was any
thing l could do. No reasonable per-
son." he went on, turning to Swain.
believes you killed that defenseless
old man: but those finger prints GER
tainly do puzzle me"
They puzzle me, too" said Swain;
but I'll prove my Unconventional 1t
will take time"
1T looks to me-" said the doctor.
slowly, that about the only way YOU
can prove your innocence is TO catch
the real murderer"
That's exactly what we're going l.
try to do" l asSented.
And meanwhile Mr.. Swain will be in
jail?" asked the doctor.
I'm afraid there's no help for It." I
admitted ruefully.
Il was just telling Mr.. Lester that 1
didn't mind that" said Swain earnestly,
that l could stand anything. If l was
only sure that Miss Vaughan was safe.
She isn't safe in that house. Mr..
Lester has arranged to place her with
the family of his partner, Mr.. Royce,
where she will be properly taken care
of. Is there any reason why she
can't be taken there today?"
The doctor considered for a mo-
ment.
Ordinarily" he said, at last. I
would advise that she be left where
she is for a few days; but, under the
circumstances, perhaps she would bet
ter be moved. You can get an easy
riding carriage-or q car will do, II
you drive carefully. The nurses, will.
Of course, go along. The only thing is,
she will probably wish to attend her
fathers funeral, which takes place TO-
morrow"
Swain bit his lips nervously.
Il have a horror of her staying in
that house another night" he said;
but l hadn't thought Of the funeral.
There Is one nurse on duty all the time,
isn't there, doctor|"
YES"
All right, then; we'll risk one night
more. But you promise me that she
shall be taken away Immediately after
the funeral?"