atter rest for a time. Thus he demonstrated the
truth of the Doctor's suggestion theory, for the language used, and
the manner adopted, had been chosen with the intention of producing
this effect. The Judge, however, did not entirely avoid the topic. His
reply was:

"Medjora, you have given me food for deep thought. I cannot at once
decide whether you are the greatest charlatan, or the most advanced
thinker in the world. I am inclined to give you the benefit of the
doubt. The other affair shall have my consideration. Good-night!"

"I thank you, Judge," said the Doctor, suavely, "and believe me that I
speak with sincerest truth, when I assure you that your daughter's
happiness is now, as it has always been, the chief aim of my life. I
will accompany you to the carriage."

Having seen his friends depart, the Doctor immediately sought the
secret chamber again, and brought Leon up to the laboratory, thence
taking him to his room, where he awakened him, and chatted with him
for a few minutes, after which he left him to go to rest.

During the long ride home the Judge and his daughter were both silent,
each being lost in thought. The Judge was endeavoring to disentangle
from the maze of his recollection a history of the night's events
which would appeal to his mind as reasonable. Had Agnes been asked to
proclaim her thoughts she would have replied that she was "thinking of
nothing special." Yet in a dim indefinable way she was wondering how a
woman could become so attached to a man, that she would be willing to
yield her whole life and independence to him. She was, therefore, a
little startled, when just before reaching home her father suddenly
addressed her, saying:

"Agnes, my daughter, I wish you to answer a question. Are you
particularly interested in any young man? Are you in love with any
one?"

"Why, what a question, father! Of course not!" She replied, with some
asperity, the more so because she felt the blood mount to her face,
and was annoyed at the idea that she was blushing. Her father did not
pursue the subject, but leaned back in his seat, mentally relieved. He
thought that he had received satisfactory proof that, whatever the
Doctor might make Agnes say under hypnotic influence, his spells could
not enthrall her during her waking hours. The Judge was not yet
convinced of the Doctor's suggestion theory.

When Agnes retired to rest, as she lay in her luxurious bed, her head
pillowed on soft down, with si