“No.�
“Well, it seems she has been given to somnambulancy. She has gotten up in the middle of the night and left the house upon more than one occasion. Last night, when I was coming home from the fort, I came upon her walking alone upon the prairie, wringing her hands and sobbing bitterly. I called to her, and she at first tried to run from me, but at last she allowed me to put her upon my horse and bring her home. I questioned her, and finally the poor child told me the cause of her wanderings. It seems Russell’s power did not end with his presence, but after hypnotizing her a number of times he could control her, even though absent. He never tried to use this baneful power until recently, or since he was here the last time before now.�
“But when did he come back? I didn’t know he had returned,� said Alice, a troubled look upon her face.
“The Lord only knows!� replied Mark, with a scowl. “I hoped we’d seen the last of him.�
“I did too, Mark. I really did. I have been so much happier since Elinor and Tibby came, and now, when it is most time for them to go, to think he’s come again.�
“He must not come here—after they have gone away, at any rate. I don’t mind it much if they are here, for Tibby, I think, will be a match for him. But afterwards, if I catch him here I’ll shoot him like the vermin he is!�
“But, Mark, they’d hang you for it.�
“’Twould be in a good cause. But really I don’t think he’ll come again after I have interviewed him once. This affair of Esther’s is going to make the place too hot for him.�
“O, yes, you were telling me. Go on. What about Esther?�
“Why, it appears he willed her to meet him in the cotton-wood grove that borders the canon. The poor child swears that she knew nothing and was conscious of nothing until she found herself face to face with this arch-fiend, alone and beyond the call of friends. She tried to flee from him, but could not. He seemed to hold her, powerless to help herself.�