There was a great deal of confusion in the building. Hurried footsteps
came and went up and down the passages; now and then he heard
approaching voices, which tantalizingly passed on, or died away before
reaching his door. Once a shrill shriek--a woman's shriek--rang through
the corridor and caused him to spring to his feet.

After the lapse of an hour that had given Lynde some general idea of
eternity, the door was hastily thrown open, and a small, elderly, blue-
eyed gentleman, followed by a man of gigantic stature, entered the
chamber.

"My dear sir," cried the gentleman, making a courteous, deprecatory
gesture with his palms spread outward, "we owe you a million apologies.
There has been a most lamentable mistake!"

"A mistake!" said Lynde haughtily. "Mistake is a mild term to apply to
an outrage."

"Your indignation is just; still it was a mistake, and one I would not
have had happen for the world. I am Dr. Pendegrast, the superintendent
of this asylum."

"This is an asylum!"

"An asylum for the insane," returned Dr. Pendegrast. "I do not know how
to express my regret at what has occurred. I can only account for the
unfortunate affair, and throw myself upon your generosity. Will you
allow me to explain?"

Lynde passed his hand over his forehead in a bewildered way. Then he