ell, I
suppose it is not for me to interfere!"

"Suppose you think it over, sir." Anstice felt a sudden desire to get
away, to be alone, to think over the revelation of the past half-hour.
"For my part I really must go about my work--I'd no idea it was so late.
By the way, who will take charge of Tochatti to-night? She is asleep
now"--he had seen to that--"but later on she will want a little looking
after. She has not borne out my theory," he added, turning to the
soldier. "I thought that last night's excitement would have vanished
entirely to-day; but I'm bound to admit she is in a queer state; and if
she is no better to-morrow you will have to let me send someone to look
after her."

"The housekeeper and I will be able to do that at present," said Chloe
quietly. "You know poor Tochatti's hatred of professional nurses was
directly responsible for that last burst of letter-writing, so we had
better not try her too far!"

"By the way, where's the dagger she produced with such lightning
sleight-of-hand last night?" Anstice put the question casually as he
turned towards the door. "It would not be wise to leave it about, in
case she felt like using it again!"

"It is hidden, at present, in my dressing-case," said Chloe. "I picked
it up last night and flung it in there lest anyone should see it. But I
agree it would be safer locked up; and I will give it to you, Leo, when
I go upstairs."

"Yes, it will be better in my keeping," said Carstairs briskly. "Though
I hope the madness which induced her to try to use it will have passed
before long."

"We'll see how she is in the morning," said Anstice as he shook hands
with Chloe. "I'll come round directly after breakfast, shall I? Quite
possibly she will be herself again after a long sleep."

"Dr. Anstice"--Chloe retained his hand for a moment--"are you quite sure
you don't regret agreeing with me over the possible hushing up of the
affair? I'm afraid, after all, I made it rather hard for you to do
anything but acquiesce just now. But if, after thinking it over, you
decide that the story should be made public, well, I am quite ready to
abide by your decision."

"No, Mrs. Carstairs." Anstice's tone was too sincere for her to doubt
his genuineness. "For my own part I am more than ready to stand by my
former verdict; and the final decision rests entirely with you.
Only--perhaps I may be permitted to express my thankfulness that the
problem has been solved--and my hope that