“But Jack and Ned saw the form, as they called it, take the pen and write his name.”
“They thought they did. She hypnotized them so they saw whatever she impressed upon their minds.”
“Can sensible, highly educated people be so influenced?”
“The bigger the brain the more easily influenced. She couldn't have so impressed an idiot, or an illiterate, unreceptive man. Let me tell you how a hundred people were fooled lately.”
“I should be delighted to hear you tell it.”
“You should have sympathy for them, after your spiritualistic experience,” said Mary with a smile.
“There is a married couple in this city whom we will call Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, because those are not their names. They have been married less than two years. He is 68 and she 28, so you see it was what they call a December and May union. It was worse. He is a bank president and his god is money—his diversion sitting in his elegant library and reading de luxe editions of the world's literary masterpieces. She is young, and beautiful, and craves society, attention, admiration.
“She didn't get the last two at home, but society furnished them. He attended her to parties and receptions and then went back to his library until it was time to escort her home.
“One night when he went for her she could not be found. No one had seen her leave—she had mysteriously disappeared. Mr. Isburn gave me the case. I'll make the story short for it is eleven o'clock.”
“I know how to get out. Mr. Cass told me.”