"I suppose you share most people's view that the easiest hypnotic subject is a sensitive or highly strung person? That, as any doctor will tell you, is the exact reverse of true."
Arthur Fane sat up.
"Do you call me a sensitive or highly strung person?" he asked incredulously.
"No, Mr. Fane. You are just dogged. You would fight the influence. I doubt whether anybody could hypnotize you."
"By George, you're right there," breathed Arthur. He was flattered and pleased; and, as usual when pleased, his rare, pleasant smile lit up the dark face. He took two puffs at a dead cigar. "But why has it got to be any of us? Why can't we have one of the maids in, and experiment on her?"
"Arthur, they'd talk!" said Vicky warningly.
Her husband saw the justice of this, and subsided. But he did not seem pleased. He kept darting glances, rather hungry glances, in the direction of Ann Browning. Vicky saw these looks too.
"Well, Mrs. Fane?" prompted Rich.
Vicky laughed a little. "I don't mind being the victim, exactly. But it's as Arthur says. I don't want to make a fool of myself in public. This — this is the business where your subconscious mind is supposed to be released, isn't it?"
"Only in a sense. You will be under the control of my will, and must obey my orders."