Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-02-03

hypnotised to do a thing which. in his
normal condition. would be profoundly
repugnant to him. Indeed. few men
can be hypnotised against their will.
To be hypnotsed, you have to yield
yourself. or course, the more you yield
yourself. the weaker o grow. but
that doesn't apply to Swain. l 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"
We'll" 1 said. III make the best
fight l can. was hoping Swain could
help me; since he can't. Wen have to
trust to luck
Godfrey left us to get his story of
the morning hearing into shape, and
l fell into a gloomy revery. l could
see no way out OF the maze: either
Swain had touched Naughan's body,
or it had been touched by another man
with the same finger markings. l
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. AN exceed
ingly long shot-a northumberland
lion to one shot. How many people
are there in the world. SWAIN"
I'm sure l don't know and he
StdISu at NE III DcNiluci llltill.
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.
"Allowins for imperceptible differ
ences," ] went on. Il think it is safe
to assume that there are 10 such peo-
pie"
"Wen,' said Swain. bitterly, Il
know one thing that it isn't safe to
assume. and hat is that either of those
Hindus is one of those 10. l suppose
that is the assumption You will make
next"
its ar assumption l intend to put
to the proof, anyway" l answered.
! somewhat testify, and il it fails, I'm
afraid you'll have to go to jail till l
! can dig up some more evidence
He turned toward me quickly. his
face working.
See here. Mr.. Lester" he said.
don't misunderstand me. I'm awfully
| grateful for all you're doing for me:
but l don't mine going to iail-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 il l knew that
she was safe. She mustn't be left in
that house-not a single night. Prom
Use me that you'll take her with you
as soon as the inquest's overt"
IN promise that, Swain. gladly l
said. provided, of course. the doctor
consents"
We must get him. and Swain
sprang to his feet. We must explain
TO him how important it is"
Perhaps | can get him on he
| ,.1D,,A ~ cntI, hiIt tho narCnn vino
answered told me that he had already
started for the inquest. And, n mo-
ment later. Mrs. Hargis tapped at he
door of the study n said that the
doctor was outside. ] told her to show
him in at once.
bands with both of us, Il thought I'd
drop in to find out if there was NY
thing | 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 it
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 To
tr.' to do | ~assented.
And meanwhile Mr.. Swain will be in
JAM" asked the doctor.
I'm afraid there's no help for it, l
admitted ruefully.
= was just telling Mr.. Lester hat
didn't mind that said Swain earnestly,
that | could stand anything, if | 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 amy reason why she
cant be taken there today
The doctor considered for a mo-
mcnt.
Ordinarily" he said, at last, 4
would advise hat she he 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 c~arriage-or a car will do. if
you drive carefully. The nurses, win,
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 n~ervously.
Il have Il horror of her staying in
that house another night" he said;
but ! hadn't thought of the funeral.
There is nurse on duty all the time,
isn't there, DOCTOR"
Yes
All right, then; We'll risk one night
more. But you promise me hat she
shall be taken away Immediately after
the funeral?"
CONTINUED next weck.)