Rating:\u00a0K+<\/p>\n
Word Count=7095<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0<\/span>A traveling magic show visits Virginia City and hypnosis is part of the show. The Cartwrights enjoy the show and become involved in a murder. Does hypnosis hold the key?<\/span><\/p>\n Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Under Mesmer’s Spell<\/strong><\/p>\n Gladstone the Marvelous and his lovely assistant, Arabella, were performing in Virginia City. Their magic act included a demonstration in the new science discovered by Mesmer. The Cartwrights, along with many of their fellow citizens, turned out for the show.<\/span>
Joe, Hoss, and many of the other men in the audience couldn\u2019t help but admire the lovely Arabella. Her long legs, creamy skin, bouncy curls, and large blue eyes were jump-starting numerous fantasies. Arabella, though, only had eyes for one man in the audience.<\/span>
Releasing pigeons from his hat, Gladstone had to work hard to quiet the audience. \u201cThe lovely Arabella and I will now demonstrate the curious science discovered by Mesmer. That distinguished scholar discovered that the mind has some curious abilities. A subject can be placed in a trance and suggestions can be made to him. The subject will do what has been suggested completely unaware of what they\u2019re doing.\u201d Skeptical groans arose from the audience and Gladstone gestured for quiet. \u201cWhen brought out of the trance, the subject has no recollection of what has transpired.\u201d Again there was noise from the audience. \u201cWill any of you gentlemen volunteer to experience the wonders revealed by Mesmer?\u201d<\/span>
Heads swiveled as people looked around to see who would volunteer. At a nod from Gladstone, Arabella descended from the stage and cast her eye around for someone to bring up for the experiment. Boldly, she sauntered over to Roy Coffee and extended her hand with a smile. Roy turned bright red while people applauded, whistled, and cheered. Giving in to peer pressure, Roy allowed himself to be escorted to the stage and sat on a stool.<\/span>
Gladstone dramatically pulled a gold watch from the pocket of his coat and held it up for the audience to see. \u201cI shall use this simple time-piece to place this fine gentleman into a trance. Before I do so, would you please inspect this to verify that it is a mere watch?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019d be glad to,\u201d replied Roy.<\/span>
Gladstone handed the watch to Roy and he carefully looked it over. Opening it up, he noted that there nothing unusual about it. Giving it back to Gladstone, the magician announced, \u201cNot every subject enters into the trance at the same rate, so patience everyone. And absolute quiet.\u201d<\/span>
Arabella stepped aside and Gladstone stood so the audience could view his actions with the watch and Roy\u2019s response. The magician began to gently swing the watch back and forth. \u201cCarefully follow the watch as it travels before your eyes, back and forth, forth and back. Note the glints of light shining from its surface as it makes its progress back and forth.\u201d The audience was leaning forward in their seats waiting to see if the sheriff would fall into a trance. \u201cYou feel your eyes becoming heavy, as if they are weighted by sleep.\u201d Roy\u2019s eyes closed as the magician continued to murmur. \u201cI shall count backwards from ten. When I reach ten, you will be in a trance and ready to do my bidding.\u201d The audience held their collective breath during the countdown; reaching ten, Gladstone paused for dramatic effect.\u00a0<\/span>
In a whisper, Gladstone instructed Roy to open his eyes and stand; a gasp arose as he did. \u201cBalance on one foot and recite the alphabet.\u201d Another gasp arose as Roy obeyed. Finishing the recitation, Roy was asked, \u201cDo you know the song Listen to the Mockingbird?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d he replied. \u201cPlease sing it for us.\u201d Everyone knew Roy couldn\u2019t carry a tune in a bucket, but they were surprised when he sang a beautiful rendition of the tune complete with whistles imitating the mockingbird. Thunderous applause broke out when he finished. \u201cTake a bow, Sir.\u201d As the applause died down, Gladstone told Roy to sit on the stool. \u201cI shall now count to ten; when I reach ten, I shall snap my fingers. When you hear the snap, you will awake. However, you will remember nothing of what you\u2019ve done on this stage.\u201d The audience collectively leaned forward in anticipation. Upon hearing the snap, Roy looked around slightly confused by the applause. \u201cThank you, Sheriff. Arabella will escort you back to your seat.\u201d<\/span>
Arabella cast her eye around the audience for the next volunteer. She gave a sideways glance through her lashes to the man who had so intrigued her but didn\u2019t look as if he\u2019d be a willing volunteer. In order to be close to him, she went to his row and reached towards him but not to him. A cheer rose up and several men whistled at her choice. Joe was only too eager to go up on stage and prove that he was immune to Gladstone\u2019s abilities.<\/span>
As Joe got seated, Gladstone asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s your name, good Sir?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cJoe, Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAaahhh. . .one of the famous Cartwrights. Are you ready, young Sir, to experience Mesmer\u2019s science?\u201d<\/span>
Joe giggled and replied, \u201cThat stuff won\u2019t work on me.\u201d Several in the audience laughed and Adam rolled his eyes.<\/span>
Pulling the watch from his pocket, Gladstone said, \u201cObserve the watch\u2019s travels, young Sir. Follow it steadily with your eyes to make sure it does not deviate from its path back and forth, forth and back. Note how it swings in the movement of a perfect pendulum.\u201d Noting the look on Joe\u2019s face as he followed the watch, Gladstone said \u201cYour eyelids are becoming heavy. They feel as if they are being lowered as window shades.\u201d As Gladstone continued murmuring, Joe\u2019s eyes closed. \u201cWhen I count to five, you will enter a trance and do my bidding. Do you understand?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/span>
Gladstone counted to five and commanded Joe to open his eyes. \u201cRise, young Sir. You shall try to lift the stool but you will find that it is too heavy.\u201d Several in the audience shook their heads in disbelief; Joe may be the smallest of the Cartwrights but he was more than a match for a stool. \u201cTry with all of your might to lift the stool.\u201d<\/span>
Obediently, Joe turned to the stool and tried to lift it. Guffaws broke out from the audience as Joe turned red and grunted with effort.<\/span>
Arabella stole a glance at the man who held her fascination. His arms were crossed over his chest and he wore a half smile on his face. She turned her attention back to Joe and his struggle with the stool; she smiled at Gladstone\u2019s back while listening to the audience\u2019s laughter. Tapping the magician on the shoulder, she mouthed, \u201cTime\u2019s almost up\u201d when he turned to her. He responded with slight nod of his own.<\/span>
\u201cCease your struggle,\u201d he commanded and Joe stopped trying to hoist the stool. \u201cNow, lift it over your head with one hand.\u201d Doing as told, Joe lifted the stool to applause, whistles, and cheers. \u201cSet the stool down and sit upon it. Now, close your eyes. I will count to five. At five, you will open your eyes and remember nothing of what has happened on this stage.\u201d<\/span>
At the count of five, Joe opened his eyes and looked around. Arabella took his hand and helped him stand. \u201cTake a bow, young Sir.\u201d Applause rang in Joe\u2019s ears as she led him from the stage.<\/span>
Arabella took the opportunity to extend her hand to the man who had appeared so skeptical. His arms remained crossed over his chest and he raised an eyebrow at her. Joe and Hoss prodded their older brother and tried to make him stand; Ben laughed at his sons trying to force Adam to take part in the performance. Finally bowing to pressure from his brothers and fellow citizens, he took her hand and allowed her to lead him to the stage.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cHave a seat on the stool, good Sir. What is your name?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAdam Cartwright.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019ve noticed you\u2019ve appeared to be in doubt during my demonstrations. Perhaps you\u2019ll be a believer soon?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou can try, but I don\u2019t believe in the power of subliminal suggestion.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAin\u2019t no way you can make ole Adam do anythin\u2019 he doesn\u2019t want to,\u201d yelled out Hoss. Several guffaws in the audience could be heard. Adam turned a shade of pink at that. Arabella watched intently, waiting to see if he could be put under.<\/span>
Holding up his watch, Gladstone said, \u201cFollow the time-piece\u2019s progress back and forth, forth and back. Note how the light gleams from it. You feel as if you want to sleep.\u201d<\/span>
Adam crossed his arms over his chest and replied, \u201cNo, I don\u2019t.\u201d Several snickers could be heard.<\/span>
\u201cCarefully observe the watch\u2019s swinging. Your eyes are compelled to follow it.\u201d Adam took that opportunity to roll his eyes and sigh loudly. More snickering came from the audience. Becoming frustrated, Gladstone whispered, \u201cWon\u2019t you at least cooperate?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo,\u201d Adam whispered back.<\/span>
With a frown, Gladstone jammed the watch into his coat pocket and said, \u201cThere are some who appear immune to the wonders of this science. This gentleman is such a one. Please, Sir, return to your seat.\u201d Not wanting to end his show looking to be a buffoon, Gladstone whispered instructions to Arabella.<\/span>
\u201cI must have complete silence for my finale, good citizens of Virginia City. Arabella and I shall disappear before your very eyes. I shall do the proper incantations and vanish from this very stage.\u201d Everyone waited in complete silence while Gladstone began chanting. Adam sat with his arms across his chest. Still chanting, the magician raised his eyes and lifted his arms over his head; Arabella adopted a praying posture. With a crescendo, Gladstone rapidly lowered his arms and a loud boom shook the theater and smoke billowed from the stage. As the smoke began to clear, gasps arose from the audience as they saw they empty stage. The sound of applause, cheers, and whistling almost rivaled the noise created by the explosion.<\/span>
As Ben and his sons stood to leave, Adam said, \u201cI\u2019m going to apologize to Gladstone.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t worry about it, Son. He probably has one in every audience.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss and Joe snickered. \u201cWe could\u2019ve saved him the trouble if he\u2019d asked us,\u201d said Joe.<\/span>
Adam headed backstage anyway. Behind the curtain, he saw Arabella talking to a man holding the magician\u2019s cape.\u00a0<\/span>
Seeing the object of her fascination, she smiled at Adam and walked over. Now maybe she\u2019d have a chance to talk with him.<\/span>
\u201cI came to apologize for bringing the demonstration to an end.\u201d<\/span>
With a flirtatious laugh, she replied, \u201cNot everyone can be put into the trance. And some people take longer than others.\u201d Noting that his gaze was focused on her d\u00e9colletage, she blushed and cleared her throat.<\/span>
Adam turned pink and said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I was just admiring your pendant. It\u2019s quite unusual.\u201d<\/span>
Taking hold of the chain on either side of the pendant, she tightened it and let it go slack; when she did this, the disk rotated. Inset on both sides, was a small piece of mirrored glass; the light reflected off of the glass and the pendant as it turned.<\/span>
Arabella\u2019s voice sounded like a distant buzz in Adam\u2019s ears. He was intrigued by the motion of the pendant over her creamy skin. The manner in which it spun seemed to defy the laws of physics. It was such a delicate piece of craftsmanship, too.<\/span>
The sound of Joe\u2019s voice caught Adam\u2019s attention. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cPa sent me. He said it\u2019s time we were leaving.\u201d<\/span>
Arabella gave Joe a sweet smile and said, \u201cYour brother and I were just having a nice chat about Mesmer and his science.\u201d Turning to Adam, she said, \u201cYou will be meeting me for lunch tomorrow as you promised so we can discuss this further, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span>
A slight look of confusion crossed Adam\u2019s face for a brief second. He couldn\u2019t remember discussing lunch plans with her, but he must have. \u201cWhat time shall I call at the International House?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShall we say one o\u2019clock?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019ll meet you then. Good night.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI enjoyed the show, Miss Arabella,\u201d said Joe, hoping for a chance to flirt with her.<\/span>
\u201cWasn\u2019t Pa ready to leave?\u201d asked Adam as he took his brother\u2019s elbow. Adam tipped his hat to Arabella in a gesture of farewell.<\/span>
Exiting the theater, Adam went to the buggy and got in. \u201cWhat were you doin\u2019 back there, Adam?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cI was only backstage for a few minutes. Since when are you and Joe in a hurry to leave town on a Friday night?\u201d<\/span>
Hoss traded a look with Pa and said, \u201cYou were back there for a good twenty minutes. Pa sent Joe in to fetch you. We thought mebbe you\u2019d disappeared like Mr. Gladstone.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou know how tongue-tied older brother gets around pretty girls. It took him that long to ask her out for lunch tomorrow.\u201d Both Joe and Hoss giggled.<\/span>
\u201cLunch, eh?\u201d asked Ben with a raised eyebrow.<\/span>
Adam had crossed his arms across his chest and defensively said, \u201cYes, lunch, to discuss Mesmer and his science.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cOnly you could ask a pretty girl to lunch to talk about science,\u201d said Joe with a snort.<\/span>
Ben had to work hard to stifle a guffaw. Adam sounded irritated by his brothers teasing, so he said, \u201cI\u2019m sure your brother will find other fascinating subjects to discuss with Miss. . . Miss\u2026does she have another name?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWatson, Arabella Watson.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m sure your brother and Miss Watson will discuss more than science. They might even discuss you, Little Joe.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss guffawed as Joe said, \u201cWhy me? I only went backstage to get him.\u201d<\/span>
Between laughs, Hoss said, \u201cYou should\u2019ve seen yourself tryin\u2019 to lift that stool, Lil Joe. The more you struggled with it, the redder your face got.\u201d<\/span>
Adam even had to laugh at the way Hoss was needling their younger brother. Joe would certainly never believe that he had provided weeks of gossip among Virginia City\u2019s young ladies with his trance-induced performance. At least the topic was likely to keep his brothers occupied for the rest of the trip home. Yet he also wondered when he had invited Arabella to lunch; he couldn\u2019t remember asking for her company.<\/span>
The next morning, Adam was getting ready for his trip into town when Joe came in his room. \u201cCome to give me advice about making conversation with pretty girls?\u201d he asked with a touch of sarcasm.<\/span>
Sitting down on the bed, Joe asked, \u201cDid I really do those things Hoss said I did?\u201d<\/span>
Giving his brother a half-smirk, he replied, \u201cSomehow I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be a topic of discussion during lunch.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell, just in case. . . \u201c<\/span>
With a wink, Adam said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Joe. I\u2019ll put in a good word for you if your name does come up.\u201d He then headed for the stairs.<\/span>
\u201cCheck the mail while you\u2019re in town,\u201d requested Ben as Adam passed through the room. \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d replied Adam.<\/span>
Hoss came out to the barn while he was saddling Sport. \u201cHey there, Adam.\u201d<\/span>
Adam sighed and looked over at his brother, expecting to be teased in some way.<\/span>
\u201cCould you find out somethin\u2019 for me?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhat would that be?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHow that magician made himself and Miss Arabella disappear.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat was just an illusion, Hoss. There wasn\u2019t anything magical about that.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBut how did he do it? One second they were on the stage and the next they were gone.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThe explosion and smoke were diversions so no one would see them leave the stage.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWould you ask anyway?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAll right. I\u2019ll ask if we talk about the show.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThanks, Adam. See you later.\u201d<\/span>
Adam nodded at Hoss, re-checked the cinch, and led Sport out of the barn. On the way into town, he wondered just what he and Arabella would talk about over lunch. She was a very pretty woman, not out-right beautiful, but certainly eye-catching. Maybe his lack of \u201ccooperation\u201d during the performance had been an embarrassment for Gladstone. Maybe the magician wasn\u2019t used to having a subject on stage that didn\u2019t go into the trance. Whatever the case, Adam decided to just enjoy the company of a pretty lady on a pretty day.<\/span>
Arriving at the International House, Adam realized he was a few minutes early; Arabella, though, was waiting on the settee in the lobby. Wearing a simple floral-patterned dress with her hair falling below her shoulders in gentle waves, she made a lovely addition to the hotel lobby. \u201cGood afternoon, Miss Watson.\u201d<\/span>
With a smile, she said, \u201cPlease, call me Arabella.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAll right, but you must call me Adam. Are you ready for lunch?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cIt\u2019s not often we stay in a town long enough to enjoy more than breakfast. Usually, we\u2019re on the road in the morning. Marcus, I mean Mr. Gladstone, wanted to exchange the receipts for a bank draft since we\u2019ll be traveling a ways to our next performance.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhere will that be?\u201d<\/span>
We have a performance scheduled at Fort Ord on Thursday.\u201d<\/span>
Turning a light pink, Adam said, \u201cI hope your demonstrations go well.\u201d<\/span>
She smiled and said, \u201cMesmer\u2019s science isn\u2019t well understood. Some people are more\u2026\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSusceptible to suggestion?\u201d<\/span>
With a laugh, she said, \u201cIt seems so. I never know when choosing a volunteer if they\u2019ll go into a trance or not. Sometimes they enter it quickly and others take longer.\u201d<\/span>
An awkward silence was ended when Adam asked, \u201cHow did you and Mr. Gladstone. . .\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMarcus.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou and Marcus meet?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMarcus\u2019 wife was his assistant when I saw them perform in St. Louis. I had been traveling with a circus, mending costumes and cleaning props. After the show, I steeled my courage and approached his wife, Leda, about joining them as a sort of apprentice. Leda talked it over with Marcus and they agreed to let me take over the care of the costumes and props as well as the cooking between towns. I learned everything I could from Leda in the hopes of becoming an assistant someday.\u201d With downcast eyes, she said, \u201cBut that came too soon. Leda died from consumption six years ago. I\u2019ve been Marcus\u2019 assistant ever since.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m sorry to bring up such painful memories,\u201d said Adam with a pat to her hand.<\/span>
With a smile, she asked, \u201cWould you mind showing me around Virginia City?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m afraid there\u2019s not much to see, but it\u2019d be my pleasure.\u201d<\/span>
They were strolling on the sidewalk, heading towards the bank, when a man in a cape ran out from behind the bank heading for an alley. Arabella said, \u201cHe couldn\u2019t!\u201d<\/span>
Adam drew his gun and sped in the direction the man had fled. Running down the alley, he saw a flash of cape. Turning the corner, he stopped short at the sight of a man wearing a similar cape lying face-down with a bullet hole in his back. Looking up, he saw the man who had fled the bank. \u201cHold it!\u201d he ordered. The man seemed to be reaching for something as he turned and Adam assumed it must be a weapon; he fired a shot as a flash of light went up followed by smoke. The man had disappeared!<\/span>
Arabella dropped to her knees beside the dead man and screamed, \u201cHe\u2019s dead!!\u201d<\/span>
Roy Coffee arrived on the scene to hear Arabella. \u201cWhat happened here?\u201d<\/span>
Pointing at Adam, Arabella yelled, \u201cHe shot him! He killed Marcus!\u201d Then her eyes rolled upwards and she fainted.<\/span>
The shouting had attracted attention, and several people now stood in the alley. \u201cMike, take the lady over to the doc\u2019s. Adam, ya come with me.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhy? I didn\u2019t kill him.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCome along all the same. You can give me a statement.\u201d<\/span>
Starting to holster his gun, Roy said, \u201cHand your gun over, Adam.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI told you, I didn\u2019t shoot him!\u201d At a look from the sheriff, Adam handed the gun over.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cPete, get someone ta help ya with the body.\u201d Roy then escorted Adam over to his office.<\/span>
Going inside, Roy pointed to a chair and Adam sat. Removing his hat, the sheriff said, \u201cTell me what happened.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMiss Watson and I were walking up the street when I saw a man who looked like Gladstone run from behind the bank to the alley. I chased him and saw a body lying in the alley. Then the man I followed disappeared.\u201d<\/span>
Roy raised a skeptical eyebrow and asked, \u201cWhen did ya fire that shot?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI was shooting at the man who disappeared.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhere\u2019d he go?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t know! One second he was standing in front of me, the next he was gone.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHow do ya explain that magician\u2019s body bein\u2019 there with a bullet to the back?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe must have been killed earlier and placed there.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Roy!\u201d Adam was becoming frustrated as he realized that he looked to be the killer. Arabella\u2019s accusations only made him seem guiltier.<\/span>
\u201cYou\u2019ll understand if I put ya in a cell for now?\u201d<\/span>
With a sigh and a shake of his head, Adam allowed Roy to escort him to the back and to lock him in a cell.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019ll send word to yer Pa that yer here.\u201d Roy then left for the doctor\u2019s office.<\/span>
Arabella was resting on the sofa when Roy entered the office. \u201cHow\u2019re ya feelin\u2019, Miss?<\/span>
\u201cConfused and angry. How could Adam do such a thing? Marcus would never hurt a fly.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDid Mr. Gladstone wear that cape even if he wasn\u2019t performin\u2019?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe\u2019d wear it as a sort of advertisement and so people would recognize him.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDid he have business at the bank?\u201d<\/span>
Dabbing a handkerchief at her eyes, she said, \u201cHe was going to exchange the money we made last night for a draft so we wouldn\u2019t be traveling with so much money on us. Marcus always worried about being an easy target for thieves.\u201d A horrified look crossed her face and she said, \u201cYou don\u2019t suppose Adam thought he had the money on him?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMiss, if anyone didn\u2019t need money it would be Adam Cartwright. \u2018Sides, the Cartwrights ain\u2019t robbers.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThen why, Sheriff?\u201d she asked as her shoulders began to shake with crying. \u201cMarcus was such a kind man.\u201d<\/span>
Paul came in the room and told Roy, \u201cI\u2019m going to have to ask you to stop questioning Miss Arabella. She\u2019s greatly distressed.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAll right, Doc. Can you stay in town fer a few days, Miss?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo,\u201d she sniffled out. \u201cWe have a performance scheduled at Fort Ord.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCould ya just send a telegram explaining the situation?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAnd disappoint those soldiers? I couldn\u2019t do that, Sheriff.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHow\u2019re ya gonna do a performance without Mr. Gladstone?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI know how to do many of the tricks and Jake, the prop master, can help me with some.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSheriff. . . Miss Arabella needs to rest.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAll right, all right. You just take it easy, Miss.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThank you, Sheriff,\u201d she sniffled out before dissolving again into sobs.<\/span>
\u201cWould you at least be able to stay one more night here instead of hittin\u2019 the trail?\u201d<\/span>
Turning her tear-streaked face to the sheriff, she quietly said, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/span>
With a pat to her shoulder, Roy headed for the door.<\/span>
\u201cSheriff?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes, Miss?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWould it\u2026would it be all right if\u2026if I saw\u2026Adam?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019d rather you didn\u2019t,\u201d said the doctor, \u201cyou\u2019ll only further upset yourself.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m headin\u2019 out to the Ponderosa to let Adam\u2019s father know what happened. There won\u2019t be anyone there with you.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe\u2019s\u2026he\u2019s in a cell\u2026isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes, Miss.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWould it\u2026be okay if\u2026Jake saw\u2026to my safety?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI suppose that\u2019d be all right.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThank you, Sheriff,\u201d she said with a wan smile.<\/span>
The office door opened and a young man came in with lines of worry etched on his features. \u201cCan I help you, Son?\u201d asked Roy, who\u2019d been heading for the door.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m Jake Brown. I work for Mr. Gladstone?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMiss Arabella is restin\u2019 in there, Son. She wants to go over to the jail. I don\u2019t mind you takin\u2019 her there, but don\u2019t let her get upset.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes, Sir. I won\u2019t, Sir.\u201d<\/span>
Jake went in to see Arabella as Roy left. She was lying on the couch with a damp cloth on her forehead and holding a handkerchief to her nose. \u201cMiss Arabella? I\u2019ve got the wagon loaded if you\u2019re ready to go.\u201d<\/span>
Extending a hand, she said, \u201cOh, Jake! He\u2019s gone! He\u2019s gone!\u201d Jake patted her hand as he knelt on one knee.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cYou rest easy, Miss Arabella. I\u2019ll drive the team real slow so you don\u2019t get jostled.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou\u2019re so sweet, Jake.\u201d Arabella sniffled some more as she peeked over the handkerchief at the doctor, who was sitting at his desk. \u201cI promised the sheriff we\u2019d stay until the morning. That way we can have a whole day to travel.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAre you sure that\u2019s what you want?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes,\u201d she said with a sniffle. \u201cHelp me sit up.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou should be resting,\u201d reminded Paul.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2026I want to see Adam. I\u2026I\u2026I have to know\u2026.why\u2026\u201d She dabbed again at her eyes.<\/span>
\u201cDon\u2019t let her get upset, young man.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo, Sir, I won\u2019t.\u201d<\/span>
Arabella leaned heavily on Jake\u2019s arm as he escorted her to the door and out of the office. Walking slowly to the sheriff\u2019s office, she noted that the cell window faced southwest. Her plan should work perfectly.<\/span>
Entering the sheriff\u2019s office, she motioned Jake to wait by the desk while she went back to the cell. On her way back there, she pulled her chain and pendant from under her dress so the pendant hung above her bosom. Then she pinched her cheeks to redden them and rubbed her eyes so they would appear swollen.<\/span>
Adam rose from the bunk when he heard footsteps coming to the cell. The steps were too light to belong to Roy or any members of his family. A look of surprise played across his face to see Arabella.<\/span>
\u201cI had to come see you, Adam.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhy? To accuse me of something else?\u201d<\/span>
Biting her lower lip, she said, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThen what did you come here for? There\u2019s no audience to witness a dramatic escape if that\u2019s what you had in mind.\u201d<\/span>
She began pulling the chain to set the pendant twirling, catching the sun\u2019s rays on the mirrored glass. \u201cI\u2026I\u2026I can explain what happened.\u201d<\/span>
Crossing his arms over his chest, he squinted at a flash of light. Whatever she was planning wasn\u2019t going to work; he wasn\u2019t going to let her get away with murder.<\/span>
In a sing-song voice, she said, \u201cWe made more money in one night here than we have in many other places. I couldn\u2019t let Marcus lose it in poker games and on women. It\u2019s been six years since Leda died and he hasn\u2019t given me a second look. I\u2019ve loved him since they took me in; I could\u2019ve been a good wife to him.\u201d She noticed that Adam was now staring at the pendant. \u201cHe\u2019d rather spend his money on cheap saloon girls than share a bed with me.\u201d Adam\u2019s breathing had become very even as he watched the pendant. \u201cI thought that maybe I could love you and make him jealous, but you couldn\u2019t be put in a trance last night during the show. It was then I realized that all my hopes with Marcus were lost.\u201d She paused in her story yet kept the pendant twirling. \u201cAdam, you\u2019re feeling very tired. You\u2019ve never felt this exhausted before. If you understand, yawn.\u201d He yawned as ordered. \u201cYou will enter a deep sleep when I count to three. You will remain asleep until you hear the name Mesmer spoken by one who loves you. Yawn if you understand.\u201d Again, he obeyed. \u201cYou will remember everything I\u2019ve said. One\u2026two\u2026three.\u201d When she said, \u201cThree,\u201d he dropped to the cell floor like a heavy stone. A smugly satisfied smile was on Arabella\u2019s face as she reentered the office. \u201cLet\u2019s go to the hotel and then you can tell the doctor that I\u2019m resting as ordered.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAre you sure we\u2019re doing the right thing?\u201d Jake asked.<\/span>
\u201cOf course I\u2019m sure. Now take me to the hotel.\u201d<\/span>
Arabella held her handkerchief over her face and sobbed loudly as she and Jake left the office and headed for the International House. Securing two rooms, he escorted her to one and then went to Paul\u2019s office to let him know she was settled in.<\/span>
Forty-five minutes later, Roy and the Cartwrights arrived in Virginia City and went to his office. Entering, Roy announced, \u201cAdam? Your pa is here.\u201d<\/span>
Not hearing an answer, Roy said, \u201cI\u2019ll go tell him you\u2019re here.\u201d Arriving at the cell, he pulled the key from his pocket and yelled, \u201cBen! Get back here!\u201d<\/span>
Worried by the sheriff\u2019s tone, Ben and his sons ran to the cell to see Roy turning Adam over. \u201cWhat happened to him?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Ben. One of you boys go get the doc!\u201d<\/span>
Joe tore through the office as told and Ben dropped to his knees. Cradling his eldest to him, he lightly slapped his son\u2019s face. \u201cAdam? Adam? Can you hear me, Son?\u201d Not getting a response, he tried shaking the limp body in his arms.<\/span>
Paul ran into the office with Joe on his heels. Taking in the scene in the cell, he said, \u201cLet me examine him.\u201d Unbuttoning his patient\u2019s shirt, he pulled the stethoscope from his bag and pressed it to Adam\u2019s chest; a strong, steady heart beat indicated that he wasn\u2019t in shock. \u201cLet\u2019s get him over to my office where I can examine him more thoroughly.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cTell me what\u2019s wrong, Paul,\u201d begged Ben.<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t know yet. His heartbeat is strong and there\u2019s no blood. He could have been drugged or poisoned.\u201d Seeing the look of near panic on Ben\u2019s face, he placed a gentle hand on his friend\u2019s shoulder and gave a slight squeeze. \u201cI didn\u2019t say he was poisoned. Just get him to my office so I can examine him.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss gently scooped his older brother into his arms and headed for the door. Joe squeezed his father\u2019s arm and said, \u201cHe\u2019s going to be all right, Pa.\u201d<\/span>
With a grim look, Ben replied \u201cI hope so, Son.\u201d<\/span>
People stopped in the street and on the sidewalk at the sight of Hoss carrying Adam to the doctor\u2019s office. Speculation was whispered and looks were exchanged among the Cartwrights\u2019 friends and acquaintances. Joe glared around and placed a strong, comforting hand against his father\u2019s back. His brother had not killed that magician, no matter what that girl had said.<\/span>
Ben and Joe entered the office as Hoss got Adam settled into the back examination room. With deft fingers, Paul began removing Adam\u2019s clothes to check for wounds, contusions, or any other physical sign of what could be wrong with him. \u201cIf you\u2019d like to wait in the outer room, there\u2019s some coffee on the stove.\u201d<\/span>
Joe tapped Roy\u2019s arm and jerked his head towards the outer room. The two men stepped out of the exam room and Joe asked, \u201cHe wasn\u2019t like that when you left?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo. He was all right when I came to fetch your pa. Miss Arabella was here and asked me if she could see Adam. I told her she could if it was all right with the doc. She was powerful upset by what happened earlier.<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s my brother in there,\u201d reminded Joe with flaring nostrils. \u201cYou know he\u2019s not a murderer.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAll I have is the evidence. A man was shot in the back and Adam was standing over him with a fired gun. What would you think?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThere has to be another explanation. Adam wouldn\u2019t shoot a man without a good reason.\u201d Joe took a deep breath to calm down and said, \u201cWhere\u2019s Miss Arabella now?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI asked her to stay here in town tonight. She\u2019s planning to leave in the morning.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m going to get the truth from her,\u201d Joe said as he turned for the door.<\/span>
\u201cDon\u2019t you upset her, Lil Joe,\u201d he warned as the young man left the office.<\/span>
Finishing his exam, Paul said, \u201cI can\u2019t find any physical reason for his condition. It\u2019s almost as if he\u2019s asleep.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSo he was drugged?\u201d asked Ben.<\/span>
\u201cPossibly, but I don\u2019t know for sure. We\u2019ll just have to wait for him to wake up and tell us.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCan I stay with him?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cOf course. Hoss, there\u2019s a cot in the store room. Would you bring it in for your father?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSure thing, Doc.\u201d<\/span>
Looking around for a brief second, Ben noticed that his youngest wasn\u2019t in the room. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joseph?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAgainst my advice, he went to see Miss Arabella.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe\u2019ll only upset that girl again,\u201d observed Paul as he arranged blankets over Adam.<\/span>
Returning with the cot, Hoss said, \u201cAdam couldn\u2019t have shot Mr. Gladstone, Roy. It don\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cUntil a witness comes forward or if I find some other evidence, Adam is the prime suspect.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBut he couldn\u2019t have done it,\u201d insisted Hoss.<\/span>
Arriving at the hotel\u2019s front desk, Joe told Johnny, the clerk, \u201cI need to see Miss Arabella. Which room is she in?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cC\u2019mon, Joe\u2026you know I\u2019m not supposed to give out room numbers.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cIt\u2019s important, Johnny. If you don\u2019t tell me, I\u2019ll go up there and knock on every door until I find out which room she\u2019s in.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou can\u2019t do that! People\u2019ll complain.\u201d<\/span>
Joe turned to go up the stairs and Johnny realized that he wasn\u2019t making an idle threat. \u201cAll right. But if anyone asks, I didn\u2019t tell you.\u201d Joe nodded in reply. \u201cMiss Arabella is in Room 12 and Jake Brown, the fella who got the rooms, is in Number 11.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThanks, Johnny. You\u2019re a pal.\u201d Joe then took the stairs two at a time to Room 12. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer; knocking louder didn\u2019t get a response. Going across the hall, he tried Room 11 and, as before, there was no answer. He tried the knob but the door was locked.<\/span>
Returning to the lobby, he asked Johnny, \u201cAre you sure they\u2019re in those rooms?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMr. Brown signed for the rooms and then took her upstairs to get settled in. He left and came back a while later and went up. Neither one\u2019s been downstairs.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cGive me the keys to those rooms,\u201d Joe requested with an outstretched hand.<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t have the keys.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThose rooms are locked, Johnny, and they didn\u2019t answer.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI told you they didn\u2019t come down here.\u201d<\/span>
Heading again for the stairs, Johnny asked, \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m getting into those rooms with or without the keys.\u201d<\/span>
Coming around the desk, Johnny made a grab for Joe but he pushed the clerk away and darted up the stairs. Drawing his gun, he forced open the door to Room 12 only to see it was empty. He then forced open Room 11\u2019s door to find it empty and the window open. If they didn\u2019t go out the front door, they must have gone out the window to sneak out of town.<\/span>
Joe holstered his gun, ran down the stairs, and headed to Dr. Martin\u2019s office. Bursting in, he quickly looked for the sheriff. \u201cWhere\u2019s Roy?\u201d he asked Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cHe went back to his office. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThey\u2019re gone! We\u2019ve gotta find \u2018em!\u201d He then noticed Adam lying on the bed covered in blankets with Pa sitting beside him. \u201cDid Paul find what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span>
Hoss shook his head. \u201cThere\u2019s not a mark on him. We won\u2019t know until he wakes up.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m going to see Roy. Are you comin\u2019?\u201d<\/span>
Hoss looked to Pa and Adam and then over to Joe. He was torn between finding Miss Arabella to settle this and staying with Pa just in case.<\/span>
With a squeeze to Hoss\u2019 arm, Joe left for Roy\u2019s office. He was going to find Arabella and make her say what she did and confess to killing Gladstone.<\/span>
Roy looked up as the door opened and asked, \u201cAny change?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThere sure is!\u201d Roy sighed with relief and got up to go over to the doctor\u2019s. \u201cThat Arabella and her friend left. I checked their rooms at the hotel.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShe told me she\u2019d stay \u2018til morning.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShow people,\u201d said Joe with a snort. \u201cDo you know where they were planning to go?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMiss Arabella said they had a performance to do at Fort Ord. I\u2019ll send a wire telling \u2018em to hold her.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAren\u2019t we gonna go after her?\u201d Joe asked in disbelief.<\/span>
\u201cEven if we caught up to her, we\u2019ve got no proof that she did anything to Adam or that she killed Gladstone.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell someone did those things and it\u2019s highly coincidental that she\u2019s gone!\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDon\u2019t go after her, Son. Leave it to the law.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThen you\u2019d better do something, Roy.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCalm down, Lil Joe. I\u2019m worried about Adam too, but there\u2019s nothin\u2019 we can do until the doc finds out what\u2019s wrong with him or he can tell us. Go stay with your pa while I round up some men.\u201d<\/span>