derstanding that you are without will of your own in this
matter. Finally, on waking up on the morning following your abstraction of
the jewels, you will remember nothing of the affair until reminded of it by
me, and then only this much: That in obedience to irresistible impulse, you
stole the jewels. Is that clear? Repeat ..."

Without a mistake the woman in hypnosis iterated the commands imposed upon
her.

The impish grin of the latent savage broke through the habitual austerity
of Victor's countenance.

"There is no more," he said, "but this: Sleep now, and do not waken before
noon to-morrow--_sleep!_"

With a quavering sigh, the girl reclosed her eyes and instantly relapsed
into the sleep of trance which was insensibly in the course of the night to
merge into natural slumber.

Victor ironed out his grimace, and signed to Shaik Tsin.

"Bear her back to her room. Instruct Chou Nu to put her to bed and not to
wake her up before noon."

"Hearing is obedience."

The Chinaman bent over, gathered the inert body into his arms, and without
perceptible effort stood erect. But in the act of turning away he paused
and, continuing to hold the girl as easily as if she weighed no more than a
child, interrogated the man he served.

"You believe she will do all you have ordered?"

"I know she will."

"Without error?"

"Barring accidents, without flaw from beginning to end."

"And in event of accidents--discovery--?"

"So much the better."

"That would please you, to have her caught?"

"Excellently."

Shaik Tsin nodded in grave yet humorous comprehension. "Now I begin to
understand. If she is caught, that gives you a power over her?"

"Precisely."

"And if she is not, when the robbery becomes known, your power over her
will be still more strong?"

"And over yet another stronger still."

"The Lone Wolf?"

Victor inclined his head. "To what lengths will he not go to cover up his
daughter's shame, if it threatens to become public that she is a thief? I
do nothing without purpose, Shaik Tsin."

"That is to say, you have to-night taken out insurance against punishment
if this other business fails."

"If it fail, others may suffer, but if necessary the Lone Wolf himself
will arrange my escape from England."

"To serve so wise a man is an honour my unworthiness can never hope to
merit."

"As to that, Shaik Tsin," Victor said without a smile, "our minds are one.
Go now. Good-night."

XVII

THE RAIS