Adam's companion remained silent for some time, deep in thought.

"Adam, my boy," he said at last, "this matter appears to me to be far
more serious even than you think. It forces me to break confidence with
my old friend, your uncle--but, in order to spare him, I must do so. For
some time now, things have been happening in this district that have been
worrying him dreadfully--several people have disappeared, without leaving
the slightest trace; a dead child was found by the roadside, with no
visible or ascertainable cause of death--sheep and other animals have
been found in the fields, bleeding from open wounds. There have been
other matters--many of them apparently trivial in themselves. Some
sinister influence has been at work, and I admit that I have suspected
Lady Arabella--that is why I questioned you so closely about the mongoose
and its strange attack upon Lady Arabella. You will think it strange
that I should suspect the mistress of Diana's Grove, a beautiful woman of
aristocratic birth. Let me explain--the family seat is near my own
place, Doom Tower, and at one time I knew the family well. When still a
young girl, Lady Arabella wandered into a small wood near her home, and
did not return. She was found unconscious and in a high fever--the
doctor said that she had received a poisonous bite, and the girl being at
a delicate and critical age, the result was serious--so much so that she
was not expected to recover. A great London physician came down but
could do nothing--indeed, he said that the girl would not survive the
night. All hope had been abandoned, when, to everyone's surprise, Lady
Arabella made a sudden and startling recovery. Within a couple of days
she was going about as usual! But to the horror of her people, she
developed a terrible craving for cruelty, maiming and injuring birds and
small animals--even killing them. This was put down to a nervous
disturbance due to her age, and it was hoped that her marriage to Captain
March would put this right. However, it was not a happy marriage, and