letest possession of his faculties. In all my
long acquaintance with him I never detected the smallest symptom of
mental aberration; and last night--good God! to think that this
happened no longer ago than last night!"--Mr. Basket passed a hand
over his brow--"Last night, sir, I recognised with delight the same
shrewd judgment, the same masculine intellect, the same large outlook
on men and affairs, the same self-confidence and self-respect--in
short, sir, all the qualities for which I ever admired my old
friend."

"Nevertheless," the Doctor insisted, "he must have been mad when he
penned this letter."

"Of the contents of which, let me remind you, I am still ignorant."

The Doctor glanced at Miss Marty, then handed the letter to Mr.
Basket with a bow. "You have a right to peruse it, sir. You will
see, however, that its contents are of a strictly private nature, and
will respect this lady's confidence."

"Certainly, certainly." Mr. Basket drew out his spectacles, and,
receiving Miss Marty's permission, seated himself at the table,
spread out the letter and slowly read it through. "Most
extraordinary! _Most_ extraordinary! But you'll excuse my saying
that while, unfortunately, it affords no clue, this seems to me as
far as possible removed from the composition of a madman." He gazed
almost gallantly over his spectacles at Miss Marty, who coloured.
"In any case," he went on, folding up the letter and returning it,
"the man must be found. I understand, madam, that you are a relative
of his? Has he any others with whom we can communicate?"

"So far as I know, sir, none."

"I have a chaise awaiting me on the other side of the ferry.
With all respect, dear madam, I suggest it; I am sorry indeed to put
you to inconvenience--"

"You propose that Miss Marty, here, should accompany you back to
Plymouth?"

"That was the suggestion in my mind. And you, too, sir--that is, if
you can make it square with your engagements. Mrs. Basket will be
happy to extend her hospitality. . . . Two heads are better than one,
sir. We will prosecute our investigations together . . . with the
help of the constabulary, of course. We should communicate with the
constabulary, or our position may eventually prove an awkward one."

"Yes, yes; the man having disappeared from your house."

"Quite so. Apart from that, I see no immediate necessity for making
the matter public; but am willing to defer to your judgment."

"That is a q