et, he
argued, if he had been ever so careful he might have been over-powered
and the stones taken by violence, if the woman's cunning had failed to
accomplish the desired object.

He firmly believed that he was in a den of thieves, and that the man who
had come to him in the reception-room and conducted him into that chamber
was in league with the beautiful Mrs. Vanderbeck, who had so fascinated
him and hoodwinked his father into sending out such costly jewels for
examination.

Then his mind reverted to the strange sensations which he had experienced
beneath those human eyes after being trapped into the padded chamber,
and a shiver of repulsion ran over him. Was he a captive in the hands
of, and at the mercy of, a gang of conjurers and mesmerists? The thought
was horrible to him. He had courage enough to defend himself in a
hand-to-hand encounter, but he felt powerless to contend against such
diabolical influences as he had already been subjected to.

While he was pondering these things, he heard the bolt to the door shoot
back, and in another moment a strange man entered the room.

Ray started to his feet, and boldly confronted him.

"Who are you?" he haughtily demanded.

"My name is Huff, sir," the man returned, in a calm, respectful tone,
"and I have come to see what I can do for you."

"There is but one thing I desire you to do--release me instantly from
this wretched place!" Ray responded authoritatively.

"Yes, yes; all in good time. Doctor Wesselhoff will attend to that," Mr.
Huff mildly replied.

"Doctor Wesselhoff?" exclaimed Ray, astonished. "I have heard of him. He
is the noted brain and nerve specialist, isn't he?"

"Yes, sir."

"And--am I in _his house_?" the young man demanded, his amazement in
nowise abated.

"Yes, this is Doctor Wesselhoff's residence."

"That is very strange! I cannot understand!" Ray remarked, deeply
perplexed. "Why am I here?"

"You--have not been quite well of late, and you are here for treatment."

"For _treatment_? Do you mean that I am here as a patient of Doctor
Wesselhoff?" cried Ray, aghast.

"Yes, sir, for a little while, until you are better."

"Who brought me here? Who made arrangements for my coming here?"

"Your own friends; and really, sir, it would be better if you would
accept the situation quietly," said the man, in a conciliatory tone.

Ray began to get excited again at this information, and the more so,
that he did not believe it, while the m