"Yes, I am very sleepy," he replied. The voice was mechanical.
Guy's heart bounded triumphantly. His experiment was succeeding beyond his wildest anticipations. At the most he had hoped to be able to gain the opportunity to instil a suggestion into a half-drugged consciousness, which would facilitate his obtaining possession of the despatches, but now it seemed that he was on the point of entirely subjugating his companion's consciousness.
"You must close your eyes," he said.
Marven obeyed.
"Stand up," commanded Guy.
Marven raised himself to his feet, but his eyes remained closed.
"You cannot lift your right arm," said Guy.
Some remnant of will yet remained. The hypnotised man strove to raise his arm. But the effort was a failure, the arm half-lifted from the elbow dropped again.
"Sit down and sleep comfortably until I awaken you," commanded Guy.
Marven obeyed. He lay back in his corner. His eyes were closed, his breathing calm and even. To all appearances he was asleep. Guy seated himself and gazed at the man opposite. Was his experiment indeed successful, or was Marven merely shamming with a view of ridiculing his efforts? He inclined to the former belief, yet the ease with which Marven had succumbed was in itself suspicious. It would be easy to apply a test.