Page:The achievements of Luther Trant - Balmer and MacHarg - 1910.djvu/241

Rh in hope of getting at the truth through the means I mentioned to you day before yesterday."

"The means you mentioned day before yesterday?" echoed Pierce, as he spun round and faced Trant with keen apprehension; and it was plain to the psychologist from the gray pallor and nervous trembling of the man that his anxiety and uncertainty had not been lessened, but rather increased by their former conversation. "You refer, I presume, to your plan to gain facts from her through—through clairvoyance!"

"I saw Mr. Trant pick the murderer in the Bronson case," Inspector Walker intervened confidently, "in a way no police officer had ever heard of; and I've followed him since. And if he says he can get an explanation here by clairvoyance, I believe him!" The quiet faith of the huge officer brought Pierce to a halt.

"For the sake of her happiness and your own, Dr. Pierce," Trant urged.

"Oh, I don't know—I don't know!" Pierce pressed his hands to his temples in indecision. "I confess this matter is outside my comprehension. I have spoken again to the persons who recommended me to you, and they, like Inspector Walker, have only repeated that I can have absolute confidence in you!"

"It is now three o'clock," Trant began, brusquely.

"Five minutes after," said the Inspector.

"Five minutes makes no difference. But it is absolutely necessary, Dr. Pierce, that if we are to make this test we begin it at once; and I can scarcely undertake it without your consent. It requires that the