“Well, it seems she has been given to somnambulancy. She has gotten up in the middle of the night and left the house upon more than one occasion. Last night, when I was coming home from the fort, I came upon her walking alone upon the prairie, wringing her hands and sobbing bitterly. I called to her, and she at first tried to run from me, but at last she allowed me to put her upon my horse and bring her home. I questioned her, and finally the poor child told me the cause of her wanderings. It seems Russell’s power did not end with his presence, but after hypnotizing her a number of times he could control her, even though absent. He never tried to use this baneful power until recently, or since he was here the last time before now.” “But when did he come back? I didn’t know he had returned,” said Alice, a troubled look upon her face. “The Lord only knows!” replied Mark, with a scowl. “I hoped we’d seen the last of him.” “I did too, Mark. I really did. I have been so much happier since Elinor and Tibby came, and now, when it is most time for them to go, to think he’s come again.” “He must not come here—after they have gone away, at any rate. I don’t mind it much if they are here, for Tibby, I think, will be a match for him. But afterwards, if I catch him here I’ll shoot him like the vermin he is!” “But, Mark, they’d hang you for it.” “’Twould be in a good cause. But really I don’t think he’ll come again after I have interviewed him once. This affair of Esther’s is going to make the place too hot for him.” “O, yes, you were telling me. Go on. What about Esther?” “Why, it appears he willed her to meet him in the cotton-wood grove that borders the canon. The poor child swears that she knew nothing and was conscious of nothing until she found herself face to face with this arch-fiend, alone and beyond the call of friends. She tried to flee from him, but could not. He seemed to hold her, powerless to help herself.” “You horrify me, Mark!” “I am myself so enraged I can hardly exercise self-control. Think of having a man in the community with the power to call his victims to him at will.” “Does Donald know of this?” “No, I think not yet. I am afraid that when he does it will end everything between him and Esther, if there has been anything, which I doubt. I believe Don has a friendly interest in Esther, but I suspect he is growing fond of Tibby.” “Indeed! Well, I don’t see how he could help it. But Esther is such a good girl.” “Yes, before she became the nervous wreck she is, because of that—Russell.” Mark ground his teeth. “O Mark, this is dreadful, dreadful! What can be done?”