erland hesitated only for a second.

"Yes," he said huskily.

There was nothing in the appearance of the patient to suggest that he
was in any way dangerous. A fair, bearded man, with pale blue eyes, he
held out his hand impulsively to the visitor, and after a momentary
hesitation, Mr. Briggerland took it and found his hand in a grip like a
vice. The two attendants exchanged glances with the asylum doctor and
strolled off.

"I think you can talk to him without fear," said the doctor in a low
voice, not so low, however, that the patient did not hear it, for he
laughed.

"Without fear, favour or prejudice, eh? Yes, that was how they swore the
officers at my court martial."

"The doctor was the general who was responsible for the losses at
Caperetto," explained Dr. Carew. "That was where the Italians lost so
heavily."

Thun nodded.

"Of course, I was perfectly innocent," he explained to Briggerland
seriously, and taking the visitor's arm he strolled across the field,
the doctor and the two attendants following at a distance. Mr.
Briggerland breathed a little more quickly as he felt the strength of
the patient's biceps.

"My conviction," said Dr. Thun seriously, "was due to the fact that
women were sitting on the court martial, which is, of course, against
all regulations."

"Certainly," murmured Mr. Briggerland.

"Keeping me here," Thun went on, "is part of the plot of the Italian
government. Naturally, they do not wish me to get at my enemies, who I
have every reason to believe are in London."

Mr. Briggerland drew a long breath.

"They are in London," he said a little hoarsely. "I happen to know where
they are."

"Really?" said the other easily, and then a cloud passed over his face
and he shook his head.

"They are safe from my vengeance," he said a little sadly. "As long as
they keep me in this place pretending that I am mad, there is no
possible chance for me."

The visitor looked round and saw that the three men who were following
were out of ear shot.

"Suppose I came to-morrow night," he said, lowering his voice, "and
helped you to get away? What is your ward?"

"No. 6," said the other in the same tone. His eyes were blazing.

"Do you think you will remember?" asked Briggerland.

Thun nodded.

"You will come to-morrow night--No. 6, the first cubicle on the left,"
he whispered, "you will not fail me? If I thought you'd fail me----" His
eyes lit up again.

"I shall not fail you," said M