“Certain,” was the girl’s low answer, “that is Mr. Lawson.”
The man moved away and was lost in the crowd, and just then Professor Dabroski advanced to the front of the stage and made an announcement.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, in that voice which Marion knew so well, “I have given you an exhibition of my power this evening which must prove conclusively to every one that I am what the bill boards call me, ‘The World’s Greatest Hypnotist.’ But before this exhibition is ended, I have one more proof to give you. I shall now produce a ‘subject’ whom you have not seen—a woman who will demonstrate the full extent of my skill, for she is absolutely unable to breathe unless I will it.”
There was a roar of applause as the professor finished, which was stilled as soon as he raised his hand for silence.
“This is what is usually termed a ‘cataleptic’ condition,” he said, “but you will see that I control it perfectly, which is more than can be done by any physician in creation.”
He moved to the rear of the stage and held out his hand, while Marion half rose in her seat, her eyes fixed and staring.
Suddenly from behind the scenes a woman advanced. She was dressed in white and looked like an angel.
As he led her down to the footlights the house was as still as the grave; then a shrill, sweet voice rang out like a bugle peal.
“Stop! stop! He must not do it! That is Dollie, my sister!”