Robert Underwood, and you shot him with this
pistol!"

Howard gazed at the shining surface of the metal as if fascinated. He
spoke not a word, but his eyes became riveted on the weapon until his
face assumed a vacant stare. From the scientific standpoint, the act of
hypnotism had been accomplished. In his nervous and overfatigued state,
added to his susceptibility to quick hypnosis, he was now directly under
the influence of Captain Clinton's stronger will, directing his weaker
will. He was completely receptive. The past seemed all a blur on his
mind. He saw the flash of steel and the police captain's angry,
determined-looking face. He felt he was powerless to resist that will
any longer. He stepped back and gave a shudder, averting his eyes from
the blinding steel. Captain Clinton quickly followed up his advantage:

"You committed this crime, Howard Jeffries!" he shouted, fixing him with
a stare. To his subordinate he shouted: "Didn't he, Maloney?"

"He killed him all right," echoed Maloney.

His eyes still fixed on those of his victim, and approaching his face
close to his, the captain shouted:

"You did it, Jeffries! Come on, own up! Let's have the truth! You shot
Robert Underwood with this revolver. You did it, and you can't deny it!
You know you can't deny it! Speak!" he thundered. "You did it!"

Howard, his eyes still fixed on the shining pistol, repeated, as if
reciting a lesson:

"I did it!"

Quickly Captain Clinton signaled to Maloney to approach nearer with his
notebook. The detective sergeant took his place immediately back of
Howard. The captain turned to his prisoner:

"You shot Robert Underwood!"

"I shot Robert Underwood," repeated Howard mechanically.

"You quarreled!"

"We quarreled."

"You came here for money!"

"I came here for money."

"He refused to give it to you!"

"He refused to give it to me."

"There was a quarrel!"

"There was a quarrel."

"You drew that pistol!"

"I drew that pistol."

"And shot him!"

"And shot him."

Captain Clinton smiled triumphantly.

"That's all," he said.

Howard collapsed into a chair. His head dropped forward on his breast,
as if he were asleep. Captain Clinton yawned and looked at his watch.
Turning to Maloney, he said with a chuckle:

"By George! it's taken five hours to get it out of him!"

Maloney turned out the electric lights and went to pull up the window
shades, letting the bright daylight stream into the room. Suddenly