“A friend, who attended Janet’s boarding-school, told me that a young teacher, who took a number of pupils to see Keller, discovered that Janet was susceptible to hypnotism. The magician used her as a subject in the audience. Afterwards the teacher often demonstrated her power over Janet. Mr. Fordyce found it out”--Calderon Fordyce drinking in every word nodded affirmatively, “and wished to prosecute the teacher, but her lawyer refused to permit Janet to be hypnotized so that she might testify against her.” “And how many people have you told that Janet was a sympathetic subject for hypnotism?” asked Potter. Pauline made no answer. “Your brother, for instance?” she fidgeted uncomfortably, but again refused to answer. “Just before dinner,” continued the physician quietly, “I saw a man running down the hall from this room; on coming in here I found Janet in a hypnotic trance....” “Did you recognize the man?” questioned Duncan swiftly. “I did not; but he dropped this in his flight,” taking out the silver pencil. “The initials engraved on it are ‘J. C. C.’” “I know nothing about the whole business,” protested Joe vehemently. “I thought I heard raised voices in here, and stopped to investigate....” “Through the keyhole?” with sarcastic significance, and Joe flushed. “If I was on the other side of the door how did I hypnotize Janet Fordyce?” he asked, avoiding his father’s look. Potter paid no attention to Joe’s remark, but continued to address the others. “There is nothing which suggestion cannot accomplish with a sensitive subject. With a suggested act are connected sentiments, emotions, passions, voluntary action, and all the phenomena constituting the psychology of movement. The suggestion which persists during the waking state presents one interesting characteristic; it appears to the subject to be spontaneous.” “Do you mean that Janet was consciously a thief?” exclaimed Fordyce aghast. Potter evaded a direct reply. “The subject generally supposes it to be a spontaneous act, and sometimes she even invents reasons to explain her conduct,” he said. “It is owing to this former fact that it is not necessary for the hypnotist to indicate in what way the crime is to be committed. Hurried on by this irresistible force, the subject feels none of the doubts and hesitations of a real criminal, but acts with a tranquility and security which insures the success of the crime.” “Your theory illustrates Spinoza’s remark that ‘the consciousness of free-will is only ignorance of the cause of our acts’,” said Calhoun-Cooper reflectively. “As my son seems to be involved in this affair, I must ask you to examine your daughter; and the sooner the better, for we are losing valuable time.” “Miss Marjorie,” began Calderon Fordyce. “Tell me who Janet has been with most frequently since coming to Washington, and who are her confidential friends.”