"Practically all of it. I'll tell you about that later. What
about the walling off?"

"It is generally the result of what we call the protective mechanism
of fear. Back of most of these cases lies fear. Not cowardice, but
perhaps we might say the limit of endurance. Fear is a complex, of
course. Dislike, in a small way, has the same reaction. We are apt
to forget the names of persons we dislike. But if you have been
reading on the subject--"

"I've been studying it for ten years."

"Ten years! Do you mean that this condition has persisted for ten
years?"

David moistened his dry lips. "Yes," he admitted. "It might not
have done so, but the--the person who made this experiment used
suggestion. The patient was very ill, and weak. It was desirable
that he should not identify himself with his past. The loss of
memory of the period immediately preceding was complete, but of
course, gradually, the cloud began to lift over the earlier periods.
It was there that suggestion was used, so that such memories as came
back were,--well, the patient adapted them to fit what he was told."

Again Doctor Lauler shot a swift glance at David, and looked away.

"An interesting experiment," he commented. "It must have taken
courage."

"A justifiable experiment," David affirmed stoutly. "And it took