WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:04.480 Section twenty one of Amusement Only. This is a LibriVox 2 00:00:04.480 --> 00:00:08.320 according all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For 3 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:12.439 more information not to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. 4 00:00:13.279 --> 00:00:19.760 Recording by Kerlyn Amusement Only by Richard marsh his First Experiment, 5 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:26.480 Chapter one. The Lady. Last winter, George Poundsby spent some 6 00:00:26.679 --> 00:00:30.679 weeks at the Empire Hotel. One morning, he was coming 7 00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:33.799 along the corridor leading from the smoking room, where he 8 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:38.960 met missus Pratt. The ladies stopped. What is that you 9 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:43.359 have in your hand? She asked. Mister Poundsby had in 10 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:46.920 his hand a slim pamphlet in a green paper cover. 11 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:54.200 He held it up. I've got it. No, yes, oh, 12 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:58.920 why say? These remarks are not given here as examples 13 00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:02.439 of English conversation, but with a view of presenting the 14 00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:06.239 reader with an accurate report of what was spoken. There 15 00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:10.200 was a pause. Then the lady said, with great solemnity, 16 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:15.719 you don't mean to say that has actually come I do. 17 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:20.000 Mister Poundsby held out the slim pamphlet at arm's length 18 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:22.719 in front of him. He pointed at it with the 19 00:01:22.760 --> 00:01:26.719 index finger of his other hand. How to hypnotize a 20 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:32.719 practical treatise hints to amateurs with full instructions for marvelous experiments, 21 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:39.159 praise sevenpence post three eight stamps. Oh, mister Poundsby, I'm 22 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:44.519 so sorry, sorry, missus Pratt. Why it was at your 23 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:48.239 instigation I plunged to the extent of those eight stamps. 24 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:53.439 But you don't understand my husband's coming. I have to 25 00:01:53.480 --> 00:01:57.040 meet him at the station at twelve thirty two. Mister 26 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:01.239 Poundsby stroked his mustache. There was not much, but he 27 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:04.680 was fond of stroking what there was of it. Missus 28 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:08.159 Pratt's husband had been rather a joke. People who winter 29 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:11.000 in hotels are as a role quite prepared to be 30 00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:14.520 epigrammatic at the expense of a pretty unmarried woman whose 31 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:18.280 husband is not in evidence, and missus Pratt's husband had 32 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:23.199 not been in evidence as yet. I don't quite follow you. 33 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:28.639 Mister Poundsby spoke with litttle malice. Whence your sorrow because 34 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:32.919 your husband is coming by the twelve thirty two. Don't 35 00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:35.039 you see? I want to be the first to be 36 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:38.439 experimented on. I've been waiting for that book two days, 37 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:41.199 and now just comes when I can't stay. Don't you 38 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:45.360 think there's time, come into my sitting room. They went 39 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:48.680 into her sitting room. When they were there, the lady 40 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:53.039 again assailed the gentleman with inquiry, don't you think there's time? 41 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:58.560 It depends. I think you're going too fast to commence with. 42 00:02:58.919 --> 00:03:01.240 I've been looking through this thing in the smoking room, 43 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:05.400 and I believe it's a swindle. A swindle. Oh, don't 44 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:09.280 say that. It's nothing but a hush of old mesmeric 45 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:14.120 tricks I've seen performed at country fairs. But doesn't it 46 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:18.120 tell you how to do them? It pretends to. It 47 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:21.319 gives some ridiculous directions, but I don't believe they can 48 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:28.039 be done that way. Try do on me, mister Poundsby laughed, 49 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:31.360 missus pratt amused him, and not for the first time either. 50 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:34.800 To begin with, we have to sit face to face 51 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:36.919 and stare at each other for ten minutes or a 52 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:42.000 quarter of an hour. Come along, let's begin. The lady 53 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:44.560 brought forward a couple of chairs, and they sat down 54 00:03:44.599 --> 00:03:48.439 on them, face to face and very close together. Opening 55 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:53.520 the pamphlet, mister Poundsby searched for further instructions. You're not 56 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:57.520 staring at me, remarked the lady. Half a minute I'm 57 00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:01.159 looking for what comes next? What does it say? Read 58 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:06.080 it aloud. After I've stared at you long enough, it 59 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:09.919 doesn't sound civil, does it. Never mind, the civility go on. 60 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:13.919 After I've stared at you long enough, you begin to 61 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:19.959 feel queer. Then, mister Poundsby read from the pamphlet. Place 62 00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:22.959 the thumb of your left hand on the subject's forehead. 63 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:27.040 You're the subject, just above the nose and level with 64 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:31.680 the eyebrows. Missus Pratt placed her pretty little hand above 65 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:35.399 her pretty little nose to point out the exact spot denoted. 66 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:40.160 Mister pounds Bey read on, this is the locality of 67 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:46.680 the phrenological organ of individuality? Is it? Said missus Pratt 68 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:51.040 in an awe struck whisper. The reader continued, Rest the 69 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:54.399 ends of your fingers on the top of the subject's head. 70 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:57.360 At the same time, take hold of the left hand 71 00:04:57.439 --> 00:05:00.839 with your right hand, applying the insight part of your 72 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:03.360 thumb to the middle of the palm of the hand. 73 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:07.920 I am punctuating this, interpolated mister pounds By, as I 74 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:10.720 go on. The man who printed it seems to have 75 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:14.879 had a fount of type containing no other stops but commas. 76 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:18.639 The object of This is for the operator to get 77 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:22.680 into contact with two very important nerves that pass on 78 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:26.040 the palm of the hand, which are called ulna and 79 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:29.600 median nerves. I don't know if that's true or what 80 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:32.600 it means, but it says so. Here, with your left 81 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:35.759 hand still, keep the thumb on the forehead between the 82 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:39.399 eyes and the fingers resting on the subject's head, which 83 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:44.120 must be inclined slightly back. Say look into my eyes. 84 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:47.839 After gazing in his eyes intently for a few seconds, 85 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:51.959 say in a loud, clear, firm tone of voice, close 86 00:05:52.040 --> 00:05:56.240 your eyes quite tight. Let him remain a few seconds 87 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:59.360 like this, and the trick is done. There is a 88 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:01.639 lot more in none since to follow. But when you've 89 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:03.879 remained for a few seconds like that, you're supposed to 90 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:08.879 be mesmerized or hypnotized or whatever they call the thing. Really, 91 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:14.319 it sounds quite simple. It does simple. Folly, hush. You 92 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:17.519 shouldn't speak like that. Perhaps if you don't believe, you 93 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:22.079 mayn't succeed. It says something to that effect in these 94 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:28.560 previous pages. Then try to believe. Let us begin. They began. 95 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:32.639 The lady was pre naturally solemn, but the gentleman was 96 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:36.240 tortured by desire to smile. He felt that the lady 97 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:41.439 might resent his laughter. Under these circumstances that ten minutes 98 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:46.079 stare was trying. Missus Pratt had sweet blue eyes which 99 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:48.959 were large and round, the sort of eyes which the 100 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:51.600 average man would not object to stare at for ten 101 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:56.240 minutes or even longer. As the appointed space of time 102 00:06:56.319 --> 00:07:00.160 drew to a conclusion, even mister Poundsby became reconciled to 103 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:03.759 his lot. He placed his left thumb on the lady's forehead, 104 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:09.079 above her nose. Is that level with my eyebrows? She inquired? 105 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:12.959 He reproved her. I don't think you ought to speak. 106 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:19.439 You destroy the connection. Missus Pratt was dumb. Mister Poundsby 107 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:23.120 proceeded in accordance with the directions contained in the pamphlet. 108 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:25.920 He rested the tips of his fingers on the top 109 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:28.839 of the lady's head. He took hold of her left hand. 110 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:32.040 With his right. He applied the inside part of his 111 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:35.920 thumb to the center of her palm. He said, to her, 112 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:40.639 look into my eyes. She looked into his eyes, her 113 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:45.079 head inclined a little backwards. This part of the proceedings was, 114 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:49.439 so far as the gentleman was concerned, on the whole agreeable. 115 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:54.000 He gazed fixedly into her pretty eyes. Then he added, 116 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:57.720 in a loud, clear, firm tone of voice, close your 117 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:02.560 eyes quite tight. She closed her eyes. There was a 118 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:06.600 pause for a few seconds. Remembering the instructions contained in 119 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:11.279 the pamphlet, he proceeded another step. You cannot open your eyes, 120 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:17.360 he said. Your eyes are fast, quite fast. The pamphlet 121 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:20.600 had it, should the subject be very sensitive, he will 122 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:24.879 be unable to open them. Apparently the subject, though in 123 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:29.600 this case feminine, was very sensitive. At least Missus Pratt, 124 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:34.399 kept her eyes shut fast. Mister Poundsby was a little startled. 125 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:38.759 He removed his touch from her brow and released her hand. 126 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:45.600 Missus Pratt, are you hypnotized already? Missus Pratt was silent. 127 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:52.360 Missus Pratt, you don't mean you're really hypnotized? Still silence. 128 00:08:53.320 --> 00:08:55.919 He leaned forward and stared at the lady, not in 129 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:59.279 the same way he had done before, but quite as fixedly. 130 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:04.720 By jove, I believe she is. He got up from 131 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:08.399 the chair. He glanced at the pamphlet. He wanted to 132 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:11.240 know how to reverse the process, how to bring the 133 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:15.759 lady to again. This is a pretty state of things. 134 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:18.120 The thing is not such a swindle as I thought 135 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:21.320 it was. But it's all nonsense. She can't be magnetized 136 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:25.120 or mesmerized, or hypnotized or whatever it is. If she is, 137 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:28.519 the thing is as easy as winking. If I'd only 138 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:31.720 known it, I'd have been mesmeorizing people since the days 139 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:37.639 of childhood Missus Pratt. But missus Pratt was silent. If 140 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:40.519 she was not hypnotized, then she was in some condition, 141 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:43.919 which was equally curious. She sat back in her chair 142 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:46.799 with her face turned up to the ceiling, in a 143 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:50.720 state of the most complete quais sense. Something in her 144 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:56.440 appearance struck mister Pansby as even unpleasantly ought. He recommenced 145 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:59.679 searching down the pages of the green covered pamphlet for 146 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:05.000 the re diverse her process. It was beautifully simple. In 147 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:08.600 order to release him, the pamphlet said. Throughout the rider 148 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:11.639 had taken it for granted that the subject would be masculine. 149 00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:15.360 Blow a sharp cold wind from your mouth on his eyes, 150 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:20.360 and say, with authority, now you can open them. Repeat 151 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:23.919 if necessary. It is important to recollect that a cold 152 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:28.440 wind blown from the operator destroys the effect and demagnetizes 153 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:33.639 One could not but suspect that some subjects might not 154 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:38.559 like this, but its simplicity was charming. If that was 155 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:42.000 all that was necessary, then, so far as mister Poundsby 156 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:46.159 was concerned, the whole science of hypnotism was already mastered. 157 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:51.679 He approached Missus Pratt. He bent over her, devoutly, hoping 158 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:54.120 that no one might enter the room. As he engaged 159 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:57.440 in doing so, Quite as shook went through him. As 160 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:00.960 he advanced his face towards hers. The expression of her 161 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:05.720 countenance was so very much like death. He blew a 162 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:10.240 cold wind on her eyes, those pretty blue eyes, whose 163 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:16.279 cerulean hue he had veiled. Now you can open them. 164 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:19.639 The words were spoken with as much authority as he 165 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:22.679 could muster in the then agitated state of his mind, 166 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:26.679 But Missus Pratt did not open them. The pamphlet said, 167 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:32.919 repeat if necessary. Mister Poundsby repeated. He blew, and he blew. 168 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:36.200 He blew the cold wind all out of him, so 169 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:39.840 that the beads of perspiration stood upon his brow. But 170 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:45.879 still the subject gave no signs. Missus Pratt, Missus Pratt, 171 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:49.559 I say, Missus Pratt, for Heaven's sake, do look at me. 172 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:54.399 All signs of authority? Had gone from him now, But 173 00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:58.720 wind and voice alike were ineffectual. Apparently it was easier 174 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:02.320 to hypnotize than to do the other thing. In his trouble, 175 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:05.960 mister Poundsby told himself that the writer of that pamphlet 176 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:11.559 was well untrustworthy, or else something had gone wrong in 177 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:15.000 the working. But what could it be? He looked at 178 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:19.639 his watch half past twelve. I shall have her husband 179 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:23.559 here directly. I imagine that he will make some observations if 180 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:29.080 he finds his wife like this. Such a contingency was 181 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:32.559 only to be expected when a man, after a long 182 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:36.559 absence from his wife, returns to find a stranger experimenting 183 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:40.080 on her, and she in a hypnotic condition from which 184 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:44.360 the stranger cannot release her. His first feelings toward that 185 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:50.960 stranger are not in civilized countries invariably friendly. Mister Poundsby, 186 00:12:51.320 --> 00:12:54.039 when he had blown the cold wind all out of him, 187 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:59.360 arrived at a resolution. I will tell Doris. I must 188 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:02.120 get her to help me. It is quite certain that 189 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:05.799 whatever happens, I mustn't let that man come and find 190 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:09.840 me alone with his wife. It was only the dread 191 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:12.480 of such a catastrophe that brought him to the sticking 192 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:18.519 point of this resolution. Miss Hasseltine Chrysaint Doris, was mister 193 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:23.399 Poundsby's betrothed. She was also wintering in the hotel with 194 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:28.440 her mamma. Mister Poundsby was aware, even painfully aware, that 195 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:31.559 the young lady's feelings towards missus Pratt were not of 196 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:36.399 the warmest possible kind. He was equally conscious that her 197 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:40.559 impression was that his feelings were, if anything, too warm. 198 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:44.639 He would rather anything had happened almost than that he 199 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:47.759 should have been reduced to the necessity of acquainting Miss 200 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:51.759 Hasseltine with the situation he was in, but it was 201 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:55.159 certainly impossible for him to allow the returning husband to 202 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:57.840 come in and find him there alone with his wife, 203 00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:02.759 and she apparently in a chronicle not a condition, so 204 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:06.039 he went in search of the young lady. Of course, 205 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:08.840 he found her where he would have least wished to 206 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:12.840 find her, in the drawing room with the ladies. He 207 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:16.000 had to call her out, and at first she wouldn't come, 208 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:19.759 But as it would have been impossible for him to 209 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:22.679 tell his tale in the presence of a dozen sharp 210 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:26.639 eared and sharp toned women, he protested that there was 211 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:30.080 something of the utmost importance, which he must say to 212 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:35.200 her alone. Well, what is it? She asked directly. He 213 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:38.639 had got her outside the door. He perceived that she 214 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:42.600 was not in one of her sentimental moods. Perhaps something 215 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:49.639 in his manner had roused her suspicions. Missus Pratt has fainted. Indeed, 216 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:52.960 what has that to do with me? Let her faint? 217 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:55.600 She looks to me as though she were that sort 218 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:59.960 of person who could feign at pleasure. Doris, for goodness, 219 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:03.759 say hear me out. I want your help. It's through me. 220 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:10.440 She's fainted. Pray, what do you mean it's it's this 221 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:17.399 confounded thing. Mister Poundsby held out the slim green covered pamphlet. 222 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:19.960 You know I told you i'd written for that pamphlet 223 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:23.799 how to hypnotize. Well, the thing came this morning. Here 224 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:27.120 it is. I've been experimenting on her, and I've not 225 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:30.440 only hypnotized her, but by George, I can't get her 226 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:35.480 round again. A pretty state of things. Upon my word, 227 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:39.840 don't pitch in to me now, Doris, don't there. She 228 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:42.240 is in her sitting room in a fit or something. 229 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.960 I don't know what's the matter with her and her 230 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:49.840 husband's coming this morning he is coming at last, is he? 231 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:54.720 I expect him every moment. He's due at twelve thirty two. 232 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:59.039 She seems to have told you all about it. She 233 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:01.720 told me so much. At any rate. I know I've 234 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:04.240 been an ass I can see that now. But lend 235 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:06.720 me a hand first and let me have it afterwards. 236 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:09.879 I was obliged to come to you. I couldn't let 237 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:11.799 him find me alone with her in such a state 238 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:14.600 as that. Come and see what you can do for her. 239 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:18.240 There's a darling do after all. It's for me, you 240 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:23.399 know not her. Miss Hasseltone yielded so far as to 241 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:26.840 advance with him along the corridor. There was a fresh 242 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:30.879 arrival when there reached the hall, a gentleman. He was 243 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:33.600 speaking to the young lady who acted as a bookkeeper 244 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:39.440 through the office window. My name is Pratt, Julia J. Pratt. 245 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:43.919 I believe my wife is staying here. Mister Poundsby clutched 246 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:50.080 Miss Haselton's arm. It's he, he whispered. There is a 247 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:54.639 missus Pratt staying here, replied the bookkeeper. Her sitting room 248 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:58.639 is number thirteen. The new arrival was about to be 249 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:03.279 ushered into number thirteen when mister Poundsby interposed, he hurried 250 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:07.079 across the hall and touched him on the shoulder. Excuse me, 251 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:10.960 May I speak to you? My name is Poundsby. The 252 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:14.079 new arrival turned and faced him. As he did so, 253 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:18.079 mister Pansby perceived a little dimly perhaps what sort of 254 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:22.279 a man he was. He was of medium height, slightly built, 255 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:25.880 about forty years of age, very dark, with a clean 256 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:29.039 shaven face, and a pair of keen black eyes which 257 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:32.160 looked at mister Poundsby as though they meant to pierce him. 258 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:36.640 Delighted to hear you speak, or any man, even if 259 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:41.559 his name is not pounds By. Directly the words were spoken, 260 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:45.960 mister Poundsby became conscious that this new arrival was an American. 261 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:52.279 I believe you are mister Pratt, Missus Pratt's husband. I 262 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:57.559 am worse luck. Ah. She intended to meet you at 263 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:02.039 twelve thirty two. She dare, did she? That's her all 264 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:04.880 through as she is to be. She never did get 265 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:08.799 farther than intentions. It's about two years since I saw her, 266 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:11.160 and I don't see her now. Have you a message 267 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:13.960 to deliver? Does she desire that I should go away 268 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:18.480 for another two years? If so, I'm willing as This 269 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:22.240 was said out loud, without the slightest attempt at concealment, 270 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:26.119 so that every word was audible, not only to mister Poundsby, 271 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:29.920 to whom the remarks were addressed, but also to miss Hasseltyne, 272 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:33.480 and the bookkeeper, and the porter, and the boots, and 273 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:37.200 the waiter, and the chambermaid, and any other staggler who 274 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:39.880 might happen to be within fifty yards or so. Hit 275 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:42.920 would seem that in her husband, Missus Pratt possessed a 276 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:46.519 man of character, but mister Poundsby was not fond of 277 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:52.599 such publicity. Can I say a word to you alone? No, sir, 278 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:55.039 you cannot. If you have a message from my wife, 279 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:59.680 say it. If not, lead on to number thirteen. The 280 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:04.480 fact is, mister Pratt, e Missus Pratt, is not them 281 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:09.119 quite well? Is that so? I'm glad to hear it. 282 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:11.599 It's a comfort to know that only sickness would keep 283 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:14.319 her from her husband, though it wouldn't need much of 284 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:16.440 that to keep her from a chance of seeing me. 285 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:21.559 The fact is, I wish, mister Pratt, you would let 286 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:25.680 me speak to you alone. No, sir, I will not 287 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:28.759 if she is dead. Don't spare my feelings. If she 288 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:31.160 has left me for a better man. Don't spare my 289 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:36.920 feelings either. The fact is she's in a hypnotic state. 290 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:42.480 In what a state? A hypnotic state? What state is that? 291 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:47.839 Hypnotic's a new word, it's been brought in lately. It 292 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:53.759 means miss Merrick. Mister Pratt paused before replying. He looked 293 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:58.200 to mister Poundsby up and down. Look here, mister, I 294 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:01.519 think you mentioned Poundsby. I don't know who you are, 295 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:04.400 but you seem a friendly kind of man. Take my 296 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:07.200 advice and get something off your chest. I see you've 297 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:12.880 got it on. Mister Poundsby smiled rather faintly. He did 298 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:16.039 not lack presents of mind as a rule, though just 299 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:19.000 then the situation was as much as he could manage. 300 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:23.519 He made a dash, added, I wish you would give 301 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:25.920 me half a minute alone. Since you will not, I 302 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:28.799 must try to tell my story where we are. You 303 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:33.279 see this book, mister Poundsby held up the Fatal Treaties. 304 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:38.400 It contains instructions for the performance of Miss Merrick experiments. 305 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:42.279 Missus Pratt insisted on my performing one of them on her. 306 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:46.920 I succeeded in producing the mesmeric state, but I i 307 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:51.720 couldn't get her out of it. There was a curious 308 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:57.640 twinkle in mister Pratt's eyes. I don't catch on, he said. 309 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:01.720 I say that I hypnotized her that is produced the 310 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:04.920 Miss Merrick state, but that I I couldn't get her 311 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:11.079 out of it. Well, she's in it now, in what 312 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:17.799 the missmeric State? Does she seem to like it? That 313 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:20.359 is more than I can say. I had just induced 314 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:23.119 Miss Hasseleteyne to come to my assistance when we were 315 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:27.559 so fortunate as to encounter you. Then I am to 316 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:30.079 understand that when she ought to have been at the 317 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:33.400 depot looking out for me, she was engaged in looking 318 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:35.599 out for the Miss Merrick State along with you. Is 319 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:41.839 that so, I'm afraid it is? Where is she in 320 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:46.599 her sitting room? Number thirteen? Lead on to number thirteen? 321 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:52.440 The procession started. The waiter went first, Mister Pratt next, 322 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:56.319 and after him Miss Hasseltine and mister pounds by. Miss 323 00:21:56.400 --> 00:22:00.839 Hasseletyne's demeanor was severe. Either her severity or something else 324 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:03.640 seemed to weigh upon her lover, who did not appear 325 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:07.240 to be altogether at his ease. They reached number thirteen, 326 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:11.960 the waiter knocked. There was no reply. He knocked again, 327 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:19.440 still no reply. Mister Pratt turned towards mister Poundsby. I 328 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:22.480 guess she's still in that state of yours. I think 329 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:25.720 we'll all go in. He turned the handle of the 330 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:30.880 door and entered. I guess she's quitted. The room was empty. 331 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:41.559 End of chapter one of his first Experiments, Section twenty 332 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:45.519 two of Amusement Only. This is a LibriVox recording. All 333 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:48.960 LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, 334 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:53.480 not to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by 335 00:22:53.559 --> 00:23:00.640 Carolyn Amusement Only by Richard marsh his first experiment, Chapter 336 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:06.680 two and the Gentleman. It was undoubtedly the case, unless 337 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:09.119 they were to suppose that she had hidden under the 338 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:13.519 sofa or behind the curtains. Mister Poundsby looked about him, 339 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:17.599 conscious of a slight feeling of bewilderment. There were the 340 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:20.599 two chairs exactly as he had left them, but the 341 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:25.799 one which missus Prattt occupied was vacant. It's very odd, 342 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:31.519 he murmured, how she was certainly unconscious when I left her. 343 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:35.440 Perhaps the knowledge that she was failing in her duty 344 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:37.839 as a wife came to her in that mesmeric state 345 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:41.119 came to her so strongly that she started off to 346 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:44.240 the depot just then and there to look for me. 347 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:47.640 If she said the depot now in the state, you 348 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:52.359 say she was, I guess she'll soon be popular. Don't 349 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:55.440 you think i'd better go and look for her. I 350 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:58.240 do not. If she is gone, she's gone, and if 351 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:00.720 she comes back again, she comes. But I am not 352 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:03.079 the man to put my friends out for a trifle. 353 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:05.759 My friend, if you will allow me to call you so, 354 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:10.279 give me your hand. Before mister Poundsby was quite aware 355 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:14.240 of it, mister Pratt had possession of his hand. I 356 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:17.279 thank you. You have placed me under an obligation to 357 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:19.720 you this day. But it may be that I shall 358 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:23.400 cry you even yet. Let's liquor. Perhaps the young lady 359 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:28.200 will pull in. Miss Haseltine, however, making some inaudible remark 360 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:31.640 having a reference to her Mamma, vanished out of sight. 361 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:35.519 Mister Pratt was not at all abashed. He addressed the 362 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:39.759 waiters champagne, a large bottle and a bucket of ice. 363 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:45.599 Mister Poundsby protested, you are very kind, but I don't 364 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:48.119 drink at this hour of the day, and only so 365 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:54.480 mister Pratt cut him short, fetch the drink. The waiter fled. 366 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:59.200 If after performing those pleasing experiments on the wife, you 367 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:02.279 refused to drink with the husband, I shall take it 368 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:07.160 quite unkindly. But don't you think some inquiries ought to 369 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:11.200 be made for missus Pratt? I do not. What I 370 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:13.720 do think is that I ought to cultivate your friendship 371 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:16.319 now that I have the chance. A man who knows 372 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:19.279 the wife so well should know something of the husband too. 373 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:26.440 The drink came, mister Pratt saw two bumpers filled. Mister Poundsby, 374 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:30.480 who was an abstemious man, had difficulty in escaping, being 375 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:35.319 compelled to drain his strawd bring another bottle. When I ring, 376 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:37.960 said mister Pratt, as the way to left the room. 377 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:43.160 The two gentlemen were left alone. Mister Poundsby still did 378 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:47.359 not feel quite easy in his mind. Champagne generally disagreed 379 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:51.160 with him at any time, always in the morning. He 380 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:54.920 had some glimmerings of an idea that if he refused 381 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:58.119 to drink, mister Pratt would seek in his refuse on 382 00:25:58.119 --> 00:26:01.359 an occasion to quarrel. He had heard and read of 383 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:05.440 some curious customs in the States, how for instance, to 384 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:09.720 refuse under certain circumstances. To drink with the citizen of 385 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:12.559 the Great Republic was to place on him an insult 386 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:16.079 which could only be wiped out by blood, blood in 387 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:20.079 which six shooters played a part. He half suspected that 388 00:26:20.119 --> 00:26:23.599 mister Pratt was a citizen like that. Certainly he was 389 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:27.400 unlike any American he had ever seen. His indifference to 390 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:31.680 his wife's fate was almost brutal. Mister Poundsby felt this, 391 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:34.680 but he also felt that it was impossible for him 392 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:37.839 to insist on making inquiries if the husband declined to 393 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:42.319 sanction them. Nor was his uneasiness lessened by mister Pratt's 394 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:46.240 appearance of entire ease. That gentleman leaned back in his 395 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:50.720 chair the one his wife had occupied, his summer coat unbuttoned, 396 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:53.359 his hat tilted on to the back of his head. 397 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:58.960 So you hypnotized my wife, mister Poundsby smiled faintly. The 398 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:05.160 subject was beginning to be unpleasant. Hypnotize me, mister Poundsby started, 399 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:11.640 I suppose you're joking. Why my wife had an inquiring mind? 400 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:15.400 Why shouldn't I have too? Perhaps you preferred trying those 401 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:18.839