as he will
be sure to do, next time? Has he not earned an advance? I
really think so.

* * * * *

"I have spent the whole day in weaving together the facts I
have gleaned, and the suspicions I have formed, into a
consecutive whole likely to present my theory in a favorable
light to my superiors. But just as I thought myself in shape
to meet their inquiries, I received an immediate summons into
their presence, where I was given a duty to perform of so
extraordinary and unexpected a nature, that it effectually
drove from my mind all my own plans for the elucidation of the
Zabriskie mystery.

"This was nothing more nor less than to take charge of a party
of people who were going to the Jersey heights for the purpose
of testing Dr. Zabriskie's skill with a pistol."

III.

The cause of this sudden move was soon explained to me. Mrs. Zabriskie,
anxious to have an end put to the present condition of affairs, had
begged for a more rigid examination into her husband's state. This being
accorded, a strict and impartial inquiry had taken place, with a result
not unlike that which followed the first one. Three out of his four
interrogators judged him insane, and could not be moved from their
opinion though opposed by the verdict of the young expert who had been
living in the house with him. Dr. Zabriskie seemed to read their
thoughts, and, showing extreme agitation, begged as before for an
opportunity to prove his sanity by showing his skill in shooting. This
time a disposition was evinced to grant his request, which Mrs.
Zabriskie no sooner perceived, than she added her supplications to his
that the question might be thus settled.

A pistol was accordingly brought; but at sight of it her courage failed,
and she changed her prayer to an entreaty that the experiment should be
postponed till the next day, and should then take place in the woods
away from the sight and hearing of needless spectators.

Though it would have been much wiser to have ended the matter there and
then, the Superintendent was prevailed upon to listen to her entreaties,
and thus it was that I came to be a spectator, if not a participator,
in the final scene of this most sombre drama.

There are some events which impress the human mind so deeply that their
memory mingles with all after-experiences. Though I have made it a rule
to forget a