Irechester thinks himself something of an alienist."

Her eyes grew suddenly alert. "He's never talked to me on that subject."

"Perhaps he doesn't think it's one of yours. Perhaps your studies haven't
lain that way? After all, no medical man can study everything!"

"Don't be naughty, Mr. Naylor" said Doctor Mary.

"He tells me that, in cases where the condition--the condition I think
he called it--is in doubt, he fixes his attention on the eyes and the
voice. He couldn't give me any very clear description of what he found in
the eyes. I couldn't quite make out, anyhow, what he meant, unless it was
a sort of meaninglessness, a want of what you might call intellectual
focus. Do you follow me?"

"Yes, I think I know what you mean."

"But with regard to the voice I distinctly remember that he used the word
'metallic.'"

"Why, that's the word Cynthia used--"

"I dare say it is. It's the word Alec used in describing the voice in
which old Mr. Saffron recited his poem, or whatever it was, in bed."

"But I've talked to Mr. Saffron; his voice isn't like that; it's a little
high, but full and rather melodious."

"Oh, well then--" He spread out his hands, as though acknowledging a