d out:

"You tried to mesmerize me!"

As swiftly the Doctor was again master of himself, and, recognizing
defeat, he was fully prepared to assume control of the situation and
twist circumstances so that they should culminate in advantage to
himself. In the very moment of his first failure, his quick mind
grasped at the hope that was offered by Leon's words. He had said
"mesmerize," and this convinced Dr. Medjora that the word "hypnotize"
was as yet unknown to him, and that all the later discoveries in
psychical science must be as a sealed book to him. So with perfect
calmness he replied:

"I fail to see upon what you base such a senseless deduction. You have
sat motionless for half an hour. I called you three or four times, and
you did not reply. Then I came here and stood beside you, but you took
no notice of me. Finally I said what I thought was true, 'You are
asleep!' Instantly you jump up like a madman and accuse me of trying
to mesmerize you. Now, why? Explain!"

How could this youth cope with the skill of such a man? He could not.
As he listened to the Doctor's words and heard his frank and friendly
speech, his fears were banished, his suspicions lulled, and he felt
ashamed. Being honest, he expressed his thoughts:

"I beg your pardon, Doctor. I think now that I must have been
sleeping. Your words startled me, and, as I awoke, I spoke stupidly.
Will you forgive me?"

There was a shade of anxiety in his tones, which demonstrated to the
Doctor that he valued his friendship, and feared to alienate his good
will. Thus he knew that he had deftly dispelled doubt, and that
nothing had been lost. Indeed, something had been gained, for he knew
now what he had only before suspected; that Leon could not be
hypnotized. Or, rather, not by any one else in the world besides
himself, for he by no means abandoned his design. Only, when next he
should make an attempt, he would take better precautions, and he would
succeed. So he thought. Now, it would be as well to continue the
conversation, by discussing the suggested topic, for it would
strengthen the lad's confidence, if he did not appear to shun it.

"Forgive you, my boy," said the Doctor, "there is nothing to forgive.
It was I who was stupid, for I should not have disturbed you so
unexpectedly. But I am fond of studying human beings, and you have
been very entertaining to me to-night. I have been observing the
effect that Nature can produce upon a virgin mind, such as