The man was released from custody.
So Dr. Snyder suggested, “If he’s so co-operative, ask him if he’d object to having another polygraph test. Tell him that Keeler’s out here and that it’s advisable to clear the matter up.”
So the police got in touch with the individual, who assented.
That test was a remarkable demonstration of Keeler’s powers. Aided, of course, by the graph shown on the sensitive machine, it wasn’t long until Keeler knew definitely just about all there was to know about this man’s temperament and reactions.
Questions, it will be remembered, are so phrased that the subject is expected to answer them by either a straight “yes” or “no.” Qualifications or explanations, if any, are to come after the test is concluded.
So, after Keeler felt he knew what had actually happened, he suddenly swung into a new line of questioning.
“Did you burn your wife’s body?” he asked.
“No.”
“Did you submerge your wife’s body in water?”
“No.”
“Did you bury your wife’s body?”
“No.”
It was a cold, rainy day. Wind was whipping sheeted rain against the windows of the office where the test was being conducted.
Keeler went on quietly, “Did you bury your wife’s body near the house?”
“No.”
“Did you bury your wife’s body far away from the house?”
“No.”
“Did you bury your wife’s body in the basement of the house?”
“No.”
“Did you bury your wife’s body in a shallow grave?”
“No.”
“Did you bury your wife’s body in a deep grave?”
“No.”
By this time the very nature of Keeler’s questions indicated to the suspect that Keeler knew, as he did know, that the wife’s body had been buried. The subject became somewhat apprehensive. Gradually the self-control which had enabled him to pass other polygraph tests without betraying himself began to break.
Abruptly Keeler pushed the machine away from him, looked at the man sympathetically, and said, “Your wife must be awful cold and lonely out there in that shallow grave in the flower garden. Why don’t we go dig her up and get it over with?”
The subject ripped off the apparatus, jumped to his feet and said, “Come on, let’s do it.”
So the police, the subject, Dr. Snyder, Raymond Schindler and Leonarde Keeler went out to the flower garden.
Standing there in the cold, driving rain, the man indicated the spot they should dig. They dug down and uncovered the wife’s body.
I think that is a typical illustration of the manner in which Keeler worked. A less skillful man could well have been baffled, but Keeler knew what to say, when to say it and how to say it.