Perhaps we are begging the question. If Pennington were really intelligent and shrewd, he would not say anything in his confession that would supply a motive for the crime. Not only does the whole confession give ample evidence that he was not sufficiently intelligent to protect himself in this way, but the conclusion of the matter shows clearly that it was of practically no importance to him. After the deed, March gave him seven dollars! He said, "I thought there was more." That is all. He did not insist or complain. He accepted it calmly and without protest. He even proposed to give March half of the four dollars received for the pawned watch. Imagine a nineteen-year-old boy with full consciousness and responsibility killing a man for his money and being so complacent over receiving seven dollars! The theory is not convincing. Even the prosecution, whose whole case depended upon showing a motive, never pretended that Pennington made any stir because the amount was so small. There is not the slightest evidence, external or internal, that the idea of getting money played any part in Pennington's share of the crime. Why then did he consent to begin the matter which George was to finish? It is clearly a case of suggestion. A suggestion, it is true, which never would have worked with a normal nineteen-year-old youth. With this weak-minded boy it is easily understandable. As we study the confession we discover that George March, either consciously or more likely unconsciously, used suggestion most adroitly. Undoubtedly he had learned, through association with Roland for six weeks, that this boy was very simple-minded and easily led. Having reasons of his own for desiring to get rid of Lewis Pinkerton, he first suggests the matter of money, hoping to appeal to Roland's cupidity. It will be noticed that he nowhere uses the word "murder" or "kill"; even the mild expression, "Make away with him," he uses only once. When Roland at one time almost takes fright and asks, "Do you mean kill him?" and he admits that he does and Roland says he won't do that, the older man lulls him to sleep by the suggestion, "Well, you begin and I'll finish it." March tells a story about a blackjack; then he brings the blackjack and gives it to Roland, saying nothing except, "You can do it with that." Roland is so weak-minded that he takes the blackjack and puts it in his pocket. When the right time comes and the opportunity is near at hand, March stations himself at a convenient place where he will see Roland as he goes back and forth at his work, and for some little time he constantly coaxes and dogs him, pouring into his ears a stream of suggestion such as, "You will have a chance pretty soon"; "Don't forget"; "Don't lose your nerve"; "Now you can get him"; "Now nail him."