demeanour had changed in the interval?"

"Exactly."

"Are you engaged to him?"

"No."

"Were you engaged to him?"

"Practically."

"And it was broken off?"

"I broke it off."

"Why?"

"I suspected him of inconstancy."

"Did you tell him so?"

"No."

"And he?"

"He left the neighbourhood."

"That was three months ago?"

"Yes."

"Was your meeting eleven days ago accidental or by arrangement?"

"I visited him unexpectedly."

"In the hope of reconciliation?"

"Yes."

"How did he take it?"

"Most handsomely."

"The reconciliation was effected?"

"Yes."

"But his demeanour has changed?"

"Yes."

"In what way?"

"He seems infatuated with his work."

"To the exclusion of you?"

"Exactly. It's as if in the interval he'd become a priest, and,
although he still loved me, he was no longer free."

"What is his work?"

"Restoring an estate--the place he lives at--Gramarye. It's a very
large estate--nearly all woods--and it's been entirely neglected for a
number of years. He and some others, including the owner, are working
to get it straight--re-making roads, building bridges, cutting down
trees. It sounds Quixotic, but I can see the fascination. Besides, he
took the work of necessity. He's very poor."

"He seemed to consider himself devoted to the service of the estate?"

"Exactly."

"Did he exhibit any one particular mental symptom?"

"He heard things which I could not hear."

"Did he say what they were?"

"Trumpets."

"Anything else?"

"When he heard them, his eyes..."

Valerie hesitated.

"Yes?"

"--were the eyes of a fanatic."

There was a long silence, while the pen was busy upon the broad sheet.
Then--

"He should be seen," said Sir Willoughby, "by a specialist without his
knowing it. I can't go down. Later, I may be of use. I hope you
won't need me. The obvious thing to do is to get him away. But, if
you can't do that, no one can--peaceably. D'you think you could try
again?"

"I feel it would be waste of time," said Valerie. "You say some one
should see him. Can you tell me who to go to?"

"D'you know Dr. Heron?" Valerie shook her head. "He assists me a lot.
If he can go, I know of no one better. Would you like me to speak to
him?"

"I should be very grateful."

Sir Willoughby pressed a bell. To his secretary, who answered the
summons--

"I want to speak to Dr. Heron," he said.

In silence the girl withdrew.

Whilst the two were