at the horsetracks tomorrow," she said. "I am sorry, but, because of Public Lawone thousand thirty-two, Section five-A, I am prohibited fromanswering a question of that nature."
The third person contacted was a woman. She raised her hand, then halfchanged her mind when she saw that the runner was turning toward her.But then she defiantly tossed her brown hair back from her face andallowed him to touch her shoulder.
"This woman is wondering if her lover is true to her--and if herhusband will find out about them."
This time the crowd laughed when the embarrassed woman turned pale andrushed up the aisle toward the exit.
No further hands were raised and the show ended with a short addressby the runner: "I hope you have enjoyed these truly marvelous andmysterious demonstrations. Now the mystic, Lima, is available for ashort time for personal interviews. The fee is very reasonable--onedollar a minute. Anyone wishing an interview please step forward."
The mystic pulled the hood from her head, smiled, bowed at the crowd,and left the stage.
Bennett gasped.
"The woman of the city of Thone!"
* * * * *
"You have paid in advance for twenty-five minutes of my time," Limasaid, as she smiled in amusement. "Perhaps you had better begin yourquestions, instead of merely staring at me."
Bennett brought his thoughts back with an effort. "Your performancewas exceptionally good," he said very soberly. "I enjoyed it. And so,apparently did the other customers. It is a clever routine. I'll admitI can't figure out how you do it."
"Remember what Barnum said," Lima replied lightly.
"At least you do not take yourself too seriously," Bennett observed.
"On the contrary." Lima countered, "I take myself very seriously. You,however, do not. You are paying for my time and the customer is alwaysright."
"Tell me," Bennett asked abruptly, "have we ever met before?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"Have you any objections to telling me about yourself during ourinterview? Who are you? What is your background?"
"I will be glad to tell you about myself, if you think it will beinteresting," she replied, after a barely perceptible pause. "How Icame by this exceptional ability of mine, I have no slightestconception. I only remember that when I was young, and still withoutthe intellect to evaluate social mores and customs, I was often placedin positions of awkwardness by my ability to read minds. At an earlyage, however, through the council of my parents, I learned to keepthis knowledge to myself.
"By the time I reached my twentieth birthday, my parents were bothdead and I was alone in the world. I had never learned any occupation.I made some attempts to use my mind-reading to some advantage tomyself, but soon found that I encountered the opposition of themedical associations as well as the law. As a consequence, I turned toshow business as the one means of earning a legitimate livelihood.There is not much more to tell."
"Can you actually read minds?" Bennett asked insistently.
"I can."
"Then what am I thinking now?"
"You are thinking," Lima said, with no semblance of a trance or any ofthe other usual antics of professional mystics, "that I look exactlylike a woman you have never seen, but whose image you have carried inyour mind since your childhood."
For just a moment, the startling accuracy disconcerted Bennett.
"I have a problem which is quite annoying," he pushed on almostfrantically. "Can you tell me what my problem is?"
"You have been subject to extremely severe headaches, which you havebeen unable to remedy, either by sedatives or with the help of aneurologist. Am I correct?"
"More than you could possibly know! Look, I came here believing youwere a fake. That didn't matter--it was the fact that you looked likethis other woman that counted. I'm convinced now. I want your help.Can you help me, or at least tell me whether the neurologist is rightabout the cause of my headaches?"
"He is wrong," Lima said. "I can tell you what causes them, but I amafraid that I will have to ask for another hundred dollars for thatextra service."
Bennett was momentarily irritated at this evidence that theirrelationship, at least as far as she was concerned, was strictlybusiness. But he shrugged off the feeling. He drew five twenty-dollarbills from his pocketbook and placed them on the table before her.
"If you remember," Lima said, folding the money carefully and tuckingit into the neck of her dress, "five months ago a building which youhad contracted to build fell, when it was nearly completed, and twoworkmen were killed."
"I remember very well."
"You found that the collapse of the building was caused by faultymaterial which you had bought through a subcontractor. You are stillinvestigating to determine where to place the blame, and are on thepoint of doing so."
"Go on," Bennett breathed softly.
"You are quite certain that the person responsible is John Tournay,ostensibly a reputable contractor, but actually an unscrupulousscoundrel. You have a choice of exposing him, with great personaldanger to yourself--Tournay is a dangerous and ruthless man--orremaining silent and knowing that you are a coward. The difficulty ofthat choice is causing your headaches."
"You may be right," Bennett admitted without hesitation. "I haven'thad time to think the matter through quite that far. What would youadvise me to do?"
"That is something which cannot be advised. The answer lies withinyourself. You are either a big enough man to do the right thing--whichyou yourself recognize--or you are a small man and will take thesafer, less honorable course. The decision and the integrity liewithin yourself."
* * * * *
Bennett slumped. "I see that. Then there's nothing more that you cando for me?"
"But there is," Lima replied. "I can cure your headaches, if youwish--for an additional hundred dollars."
"That would be a cheap price." Bennett drew his wallet from hispocket. "My cash is rather low. Would you accept a personal check?"
"Certainly," Lima said. "But, first, let me explain about my cure.There is some mental unpleasantness involved which you may considerworse than the ailment."
"I doubt that. I can't imagine anything worse than this agony."
"Your mind will be placed under my control and led through a dreamsequence. I will follow a logical progression of events, using youractual past as background. While you are under my control, yourexperiences will be far from pleasant. I will allow your mind tofollow its own anticipated course of events, influencing your thoughtsonly slightly--directing them into as unpleasant channels as possible.In fact, to make the cure certain, at least the culmination must bequite devastating. Do you agree to undergo such rigorous mentalpunishment?"
"But why do I have to?" Bennett asked, astonished and worried.
"That pattern will act in the manner of a counter-irritant. Your mindis like a spoiled child, rejecting anticipated unpleasantness. Undermy influence it is subjected to possible alternative experiences,which are so much worse than the one it originally feared that it willgratefully accept the lesser evil."
"That sounds reasonable," Bennett agreed. "When could we begin thistreatment?"
"Immediately, if you are willing."
"I see no reason for waiting."
"Then, if you are ready," Lima told him, "lie on this couch. Keep youreyes on mine." She spoke slowly, evenly. "Remember that you are doingthis of your own free will, that you trust me. I am your friend andwould do you no harm."
Her voice droned on as Bennett looked into her eyes. They merged untilthey became one large, placid pool of restfulness, and he foundhimself drawn into them.
He sank peacefully, quietly--completely.
* * * * *
When the telephone rang, Bennett knew it was the district attorneyreturning his call, and that the die was cast. Until this uglybusiness was brought to a conclusion, his life would be in constantdanger.
"Leroy Bennett speaking," he said
. "I have had collected someinformation that I think will be of very great interest to youroffice."
"Information about what?" the voice at the other end asked briskly.
"I have proof that John Tournay is responsible for the death of twomen, in an action involving criminal collusion."
"If what you say is true, I will be glad to see your evidence," thedistrict attorney said. "Could you deliver it in person? There may besome questions I would like to ask you about it."
"Certainly," Bennett replied. "When would be the most convenienttime?"
"Later in the day. I