His love for his wife was wonderful—he only blamed the man who had gained such power over her mind as to make her irresponsible. Just as though there were wizards to-day—the times of Salem witchcraft have not returned to haunt us again, thank heaven.
Joe really did believe—and the shrewd detective allowed the same idea to permeate his own mind to a certain extent—that it was a case where a weak mind was dominated by a masterful one. He had known such cases, and seen examples of hypnotism that had astonished him.
Thus he excused Lillian.
While Eric did not go that far, he believed there were extenuating circumstances connected with the case, and was willing to look upon it all in a most lenient way.
Probably he would have acted in a different manner had it been his own wife who was concerned in the affair.
That was a matter that brought the business down to mere speculation, and when it reached this point it became unprofitable.
When the detective left his friend he had everything arranged.
As far as human sight could see beyond, all was ready for the business in hand.
Should Paul Prescott attempt to put his little game into practice he would find himself brought up rather suddenly.
There was an hour or so of daylight left, and this Eric put to good advantage, as he had a number of little things to do.