She clasped her hands in her lap. 'That is true!' she said eagerly.
'I begin to believe in you again.'

'Very well. You can't expect me to find out the moral cause which has
alarmed you. I can positively discover that there is no physical
cause of alarm; and (unless you admit me to your confidence)
I can do no more.'

She rose, and took a turn in the room. 'Suppose I tell you?' she said.
'But, mind, I shall mention no names!'

'There is no need to mention names. The facts are all I want.'

'The facts are nothing,' she rejoined. 'I have only my own impressions
to confess--and you will very likely think me a fanciful fool when you
hear what they are. No matter. I will do my best to content you--
I will begin with the facts that you want. Take my word for it,
they won't do much to help you.'

She sat down again. In the plainest possible words, she began
the strangest and wildest confession that had ever reached
the Doctor's ears.





CHAPTER II