rent that Mutimer feared lest she had lost her
senses. She was, in truth, on the borders of idiocy. It was more than
half-an-hour before, with the servant's assistance, he could allay her
hysterical anguish. Then she altogether refused to accompany him. If she
did so she would miss her husband; he would not go without coming to see
her. Richard was reminded by the servant that it was too late to go by
train. He decided to remain in the house through the night.

He had not ventured to tell her all the truth, nor did her state
encourage him to do so in the morning. But he then succeeded in
persuading her to come with him; Rodman, he assured her, must already
be out of England, for he had committed a criminal offence and knew that
the police were after him. Alice was got to the station more dead than
alive; they were at home in Holloway by half-past ten. Richard then left
her in Adela's hands and sped once more to Brixton.

He got home again at two. As he entered Adela came down the stairs to
meet him.

'How is she?' he asked anxiously.

'The same. The doctor was here an hour ago. We must keep her as quiet as
possible. But she can't rest for a moment.'

She added--

'Three gentlemen have called to see you. They would leave no name, and,
to tell the truth, were rather rude. They seemed to doubt my word when I
said you were not in.'

At his request she attempted to describe these callers. Mutimer
recognised them as members of his committee.

'Rude to you? You must have mistaken. What did they come here for? I
shall in any case see them to-night.'

They returned to the subject of Alice's illness.

'I've half a mind to tell her the truth,' Mutimer said. 'Surely she'd
put the blackguard out of her head after that.'

'No, no; you mustn't tell her!' Adela interposed. 'I am sure it would be
very unwise.'

Alice was growing worse; in an hour or two delirium began to declare
itself. She had resisted all efforts to put her to bed; at most she
would lie on a couch. Whilst Richard and his wife were debating what
should be done, it was announced to them that the three gentlemen had
called again. Mutimer went oft angrily to see them.

He was engaged for half-an-hour. Then Adela heard the visitors depart;
one of them was speaking loudly and with irritation. She waited for a
moment at the head of the stairs, expecting that Mutimer would come out
to her. As he did not, she went into the sitting-room.

Mutimer stood before