that room, because Margrave had so openly gone thither to seek for the
staff, and had so rudely named me to the servant as having meddled with
it. Might he not awake some suspicion against me? Suspicion, what of? I
knew not, but I feared!

The healthful air of day gradually nerved my spirits and relieved my
thoughts. But the place had become hateful to me. I resolved not to wait
for Strahan's return, but to walk back to L----, and leave a message for
my host. It was sufficient excuse that I could not longer absent myself
from my patients; accordingly I gave directions to have the few things
which I had brought with me sent to my house by any servant who might be
going to L----, and was soon pleased to find myself outside the park-gates
and on the high-road.

I had not gone a mile before I met Strahan on horseback. He received my
apologies for not waiting his return to bid him farewell without
observation, and, dismounting, led his horse and walked beside me on my
road. I saw that there was something on his mind; at last he said,
looking down,--

"Did you hear the dogs howl last night?"

"Yes! the full moon!"

"You were awake, then, at the time. Did you hear any other sound? Did
you see anything?"

"What should I hear or see?"

Strahan was silent for some moments; then he said, with great