car reluctantly retired from the
Committee of Public Safety. He acknowledged the sore need of ending the
suspicious and superstitious fears which were beginning to affect the
life of the community in various ways. But he could not see his way to
any participation in means so dangerous to the life of one of their
number as those suggested.

He did his best to dissuade Gard from it. He even reminded him of the
duty he owed to Nance. She had undoubtedly saved his life, and she had a
premier claim upon his consideration--and so on.

To all of which Gard fully assented.

"But," he said gravely, "we are at a deadlock in this other matter, and
it is just barely possible that this plan may clear it all up. I can't
say I'm very sanguine that it will. On the other hand, I really don't
see that any great harm can come to me. The others probably suffered
because they were taken unawares. I shall go in the hope of meeting it,
and shall be ready for it. Unless, Vicar, you really think it is the
devil or something of that sort?"

"I don't know what to think," said the Vicar solemnly. "I cannot bring
myself to believe any of our Sark men would do such dreadful things. I
look at each man I meet and say to myself, 'Now, can it be possible it
is you?--or you?--or you?'--and it does not seem possible; and yet--"

"And yet some one did it, Vicar," said the Doctor, brusquely, "and
that's just the trouble. Until we find out _who_ did it, any man may
have done it, and we all look at everybody else, just as you do, and say
to ourselves, 'Is it you?--or you?--or you?' Though I'm bound to say
I've not got the length yet of doubting either you or the Senechal, or
Gard, and I don't think it's myself. It might quite conceivably be any
one of us, however, prowling about in our sleep and utterly unconscious
afterwards of evil-doing."

"A most awful possibility," said the Vicar. "God grant it may turn out
differently from that."

"You never know what this inexplicable machine may do," said the Doctor,
tapping his head. "However, we'll hope for the best, and I think the
Senechal and I ought to be able to see Gard through without any very
disastrous results. If we succeed, he will deserve better of this Island
than any man I know--and a sight more than this Island deserves of him.
I quite understand," he said, as Gard looked quickly up. "And it does
you credit, my boy; but there are not very many men would do it."

"Well, I'm afraid I must leave