"Hypnosis?" The others spoke at once.
Franstein nodded. "I've got to put you into a hypnotic trance, Ham, and we'll play that recording back to you and I think—only think, remember—that you're going to be able to tell us what they mean. Any objection, Phil?"
"You're the expert."
"How about you, Ham?"
"I'll do anything to clear up this business." He jumped to his feet. "Let's get on with it now. What do I do? Shall I lie down on the sofa?"
"I didn't know you are a hypnotist too, Abe," said Snow. "I'm not surprised, though. I might have known."
Franstein took no notice of this. He stepped up to Richardson and looked up at him, holding out one hand which the other, wonderingly, took. "The big thing is confidence, Ham," he said, looking up earnestly. "Complete confidence. You have that in me?"
Richardson looked down on the little man and nodded his head. "Sure," he said. "I've always had that in you, Abe."
Franstein continued to hold the other's hand. "That's fine," he said. "All you have to do is to relax and trust in me. Just relax completely. Just let yourself go—eh?"