“With facility!” replied Dr. Jaquet. A look of polite incredulity crept into Mr. Kearns’ face. “Will you that I shall try?” asked the Doctor eagerly. Mr. Kearns remained silent, somewhat taken aback by the novelty of the situation. “Ah, you hesitate! You have fear that I shall succeed. But have no fear. There is nothing which can do you hurt. On the contrary, only good!” “Fear!” exclaimed Mr. Kearns with a start. “Do not, I beg you, form the idea that I am afraid to subject myself to your test. I must return to Dr. Belden’s early, so I cannot avail myself of your offer to-day, but extend it again some time and, upon my word, I shall be much inclined to take you up.” “I can make you sleep for six hours, six days, six weeks!” declared the Doctor with enthusiasm. “Let us call it six hours and I should consider that you have fully vindicated your assertion,” replied Mr. Kearns with a smile. “Very well. I will prove to you some day,” declared Dr. Jaquet. “Now, listen! To-morrow I will call for you at one o’clock. We will take a great walk together. I will conduct you to a little piece of land which I own over there in the mountains. On this land is a cave, where I will show you some wonderful things.” “Very well; that sounds interesting,” replied Mr. Kearns. “You will call for us to-morrow, then?” “Yes, my friends; au revoir until to-morrow,” said the Doctor genially, as he courteously bowed them to the door. “What do you think of that?” asked Mr. Kearns of Professor Dean, as they walked down the road on their way back to Dr. Belden’s. “Of what?” asked the Professor. “Of the assertions made by our interesting little French friend,” replied Mr. Kearns. “In what connection?” “Oh, as to this suspended animation business and his ability to put people to sleep and so on.” “My work has been entirely confined to the practical branches of science,” answered the Professor cautiously. “I have really never had any opportunity of investigating any matters of this nature. Many peculiar claims and theories have been advanced as to mesmerism, hypnotism, and auto-suggestion, but I am not really competent to advise you as to their merits.” “Answered with the caution of an expert on the witness stand!” cried Mr. Kearns with a laugh. “But tell me this! Do you believe that out of ten men picked haphazard, he could succeed in getting say two out of the ten into a condition of suspended animation, or hypnotic sleep, or whatever you like to call it? What puzzles me is his apparent ability to do it with those animals. If it were not for that fact, I should not be inclined to give the matter much attention.” “I really could not express an opinion,” declared the Professor. “Then, answer me this, O Mountain of Caution!” cried Mr. Kearns. “Would you be willing to join with me in putting the Doctor to the test?” The Professor remained thoughtfully silent for a moment.