“What’s that?  The police?”

“Yes, Dr. Zabriskie would be taken before them again this morning.  No entreaties on the part of his wife would prevail; he insisted upon his guilt and asked her to accompany him there; and the poor woman found herself forced to go.  Of course he encountered again the same division of opinion among the men he talked with.  Three out of the four judged him insane, which observing, he betrayed great agitation and reiterated his former wish to be allowed an opportunity to prove his sanity by showing his skill in shooting.  This made an impression; and a disposition was shown to grant his request then and there.  But Mrs. Zabriskie would not listen to this.  She approved of the experiment but begged that it might be deferred till another day and then take place in some spot remote from the city.  For some reason they heeded her, and she has just telephoned me that this attempt of his is to take place tomorrow in the New Jersey woods.  I am sorry that this should have been put through without you; and when I tell you that the idea originated with me—­that from some word I purposely let fall one day, they both conceived this plan of ending the uncertainty that was devouring their lives, you will understand my excitement and the need I have of your support.  Tell me that I have done well.  Do not show me such a face—­you frighten me—­”

“I do not wish to frighten you.  I merely wish to know just who are going on this expedition.”

“Some members of the police, Dr. Zabriskie, his wife, and—­and myself.  She begged—­”

“You must not go.”

“Why?  The affair is to be kept secret.  The doctor will shoot, fail—­Oh!” she suddenly broke in, alarmed by his expression, “you think he will not fail—­”

“I think that you had better heed my advice and stay out of it.  The affair is now in the hands of the police, and your place is anywhere but where they are.”

“But I go as her particular friend.  They have given her the privilege of taking with her one of her own sex and she has chosen me.  I shall not fail her.  Father is away, and if the awful disappointment you suggest awaits her, there is all the more reason why she should have some sympathetic support?”

This was so true, that the fresh protest he was about to utter died on his lips.  Instead, he simply remarked as he bowed her out: 

“I foresee that we shall not work much longer together.  You are nearing the end of your endurance.”

He never forgot the smile she threw back at him.

V

There are some events which impress the human mind so deeply that their memory mingles with all after-experiences.  Though Violet had made it a rule to forget as soon as possible the tragic episodes incident to the strange career upon which she had so mysteriously embarked, there was destined to be one scene, if not more, which she has never been able to dismiss at will.