“Professor Russell. You know who he is, and what he has done. If he comes here again, use all the power you possess to get control of that man.” “What shall do with him if I can hypnotize him?” “Anything. Show him up for what he is. And above everything, break his power or influence over others.” “You may be sure I will. Mrs. Wylie has been telling me of him, and that he is responsible for Mrs. Cramer’s nervous condition.” “Yes, and for a hundred other offenses, large and small. Lissa Bartram is nearly insane over his accursed delusions. By the way, can you not suggest a different train of thought for her? She sits brooding over her sorrow, and trying to recall the spirit of her child. You know the hypnotist can get control of the mind and govern the current of thought by suggestion. Can you not turn her morbid fancies into dreams of hope and brightness? Ah, Miss Tibby, if you can bring relief to that darkened spirit you will be an angel of light!” “Mr. Cramer, I will try. I wish I understood better just how to use the power I have. I know I have it—but sometimes I forget and fail to make people do as I wish. But I am interested in Mrs. Bartram, and will do what I can.” “Come, let us walk over there now,” said Mark. “The others are occupied with themselves.” “All right. I’ll leave my riding accoutrements here, and we will go. I wonder, Mr. Cramer, if this power comes from a strong will.” “Are you strong-willed?” “Ah, you answer my question in the Yankee fashion. I suppose I am. My stepmother used to call me ‘that self-willed, headstrong girl,’ because I could coax papa to let me have my own way sometimes. And when I was right, why should I not have it?” The uptilted chin rose higher. “It is usually woman’s way,” Mark replied. “The right way is. I agree with you.” Tibby walked forward with the free, upspringing step of perfect health and high spirits. “Mr. Cramer, you have not answered my question. What is this power of hypnotic control?” “You should know better than I, Miss Waring. So far as I understand it, it is the controlling of one person’s will and senses by another, the subject passively submitting to it. I cannot imagine your hypnotizing me, for I am naturally very positive myself. You might do so if I were off my guard. Neither have I your power over others. Why, is not clear to me.” “I made you ask a question for me a couple of days ago,” Tibby confessed, laughing. “When?” Mark looked surprised. “It was when you and Mrs. McCleary were talking together, and I wanted to hear her tell about the planchette. So I told you to ask her—that is, _willed_ you to. And immediately you turned around and said, ‘Well, how does Mr. McCleary get on with his planchette?’” Mark laughed. “I remember I was sorry for starting her off upon her hobby, and was provoked at myself for asking afterwards,” he said. “But here we are at Nathan’s. I’ll take you in and then I’ll leave you to entertain Lissa in your own way.”