"Insane?"

"Hopelessly so, I fear."

A nameless heaviness fell upon Lynde's heart. He longed to ask other
questions, but he did not know how to shape them. He regretted that
subsequently.

"And now, Mr. Lynde," said the doctor, "in your general pardon I wish
you to include my unavoidable delay in coming or sending to you. When
you were brought here I was still in durance vile, and Higgins was in
his strait-jacket. On being released, my hands were full, as you can
suppose. Moreover, I did not learn at once of your detention. The saddle
and the valise caused me to suspect that a blunder had been committed. I
cannot adequately express my regrets. In ten minutes," continued Dr.
Pendegrast, turning a fat gold watch over on its back in the palm of his
hand, where it looked like a little yellow turtle, "in ten minutes
dinner will be served. Unless you do me the honor to dine with me, I
shall not believe in the sincerity of your forgiveness."

"Thanks," said Lynde dejectedly. "I fully appreciate your
thoughtfulness; I am nearly famished, but I do not think I could eat a
mouthful here. Excuse me for saying it, but I should have to remain here
permanently if I were to stay another hour. I quite forgive Mr. Morton
and the others," Lynde went on, rising and giving the doctor his hand;
"and I forgive you also, since you insist upon being forgiven, though I
do not know for what. If my horse, and my traps, and my hat--really, I
don't see how they could have helped taking me for a lunatic--can be
brought together, I will go and dine at the tavern."