since a hypnotic subject can only be depended upon so long as the conditions under which he acts are precisely those which have been suggested to him.  Any unforeseen variations in these conditions and he fails to act, exposes everything, and the whole carefully planned structure falls to the ground.  When, therefore, the time came which I had set for the deed, I found it possible to drug M. Latour, abduct him from his home, and to keep him confined and unconscious until I had killed Mr. Darrow in a manner I will describe in due course.  As soon as I had committed the murder and established what I fondly believed would be a perfect alibi in my attendance at the examination, I secretly conveyed the still unconscious M. Latour to his rooms and awaited his return to consciousness.  I then asked him how he came in such a state and what he was doing in Dorchester.  He was, of course, ignorant of everything.  Little by little I worked upon him till he came to believe himself guilty of John Darrow’s murder.

“I had availed myself of his interest in the subject of cancer to get him to the library.  It is one of my maxims never to take an avoidable risk, for which reason I made Latour apply for the books I wanted, as well as for the medical works he desired to peruse.  As he was ambidextrous, I suggested the use of the two names Weltz and Rizzi, the former to be written with his right and the latter with his left hand.  I was actuated in all this by two motives.  First, I was manufacturing evidence which might stand me in good stead later, as well as minimising somewhat my own risk in getting the information I needed; and, secondly, I was getting Latour into a good atmosphere for my hypnotic influence.  Not a word of all these matters did he relate to his daughter, whom he loves with a devotion I have never seen equalled.  Indeed, it was this very affection that made my plan feasible.  When I had convinced him he was a murderer I showed him Mr. Darrow’s curious advertisement offering a reward, should he be assassinated, to anyone bringing about the conviction of his assailant.

“‘In a year,’ I said to him, ’you will die of cancer, if your crime be not previously discovered and punished.  Your daughter will then be penniless.  How much better for you to permit me in a few months to accuse you of the murder.  You then confess; I claim and secure the reward and secretly divide with you; you are sentenced; but as considerable time will transpire between this and the date set for your execution, you in the meantime will die of cancer, leaving Jeannette well provided for.’

“I think my influence over him would have been sufficient to have compelled him to all this, could he have reasoned out no benefit accruing to himself or daughter by such a course, but with circumstances thus in my favour my task was an easy one.  The public knows all it need know of what occurred after this.  This man, Maitland, was in the next room to Latour’s, overheard our conversation, and even phonographed our words and photographed our positions.  It has always been a matter of pride with me to gracefully acknowledge that three aces are not so good as a full house, therefore I confess myself beaten, though not subdued.