demanded.

"The Doctor and his wife had a long talk last night," was whispered in
my ear as we wound our way along into the woods. I turned and perceived
at my side the expert physician, portions of whose diary I have already
quoted. He had come by another boat.

"But it did not seem to heal whatever breach lies between them," he
proceeded. Then in a quick, curious tone, he asked: "Do you believe this
attempt on his part is likely to prove anything but a farce?"

"I believe he will shatter the clock to pieces with his first shot," I
answered, and could say no more, for we had already reached the ground
which had been selected for this trial at arms, and the various members
of the party were being placed in their several positions.

The Doctor, to whom light and darkness were alike, stood with his face
towards the western glow, and at his side were grouped the Inspector and
the two physicians. On the arm of one of the latter hung Dr.
Zabriskie's overcoat, which he had taken off as soon as he reached the
field.

Mrs. Zabriskie stood at the other end of the opening, near a tall stump,
upon which it had been decided that the clock should be placed when the
moment came for the Doctor to show his skill. She had been accorded the
privilege of setting the clock on this stump, and I saw it shining in
her hand as she paused for a moment to glance back at the circle of
gentlemen who were awaiting her movements. The hands of the clock stood
at five minutes to five, though I scarcely noted the fact at the time,
for her eyes were on mine, and as she passed me she spoke:

"If he is not himself, he cannot be trusted. Watch him carefully, and
see that he does no mischief to himself or others. Be at his right hand,
and stop him if he does not handle his pistol properly."

I promised, and she passed on, setting the clock upon the stump and
immediately drawing back to a suitable distance at the right, where she
stood, wrapped in her long dark cloak, quite alone. Her face shone
ghastly white, even in its environment of snow-covered boughs which
surrounded her, and, noting this, I wished the minutes fewer between the
present moment and the hour of five, at which he was to draw the
trigger.

"Dr. Zabriskie," quoth the Inspector, "we have endeavored to make this
trial a perfectly fair one. You are to have one shot at a small clock
which has been placed within a suitable distance, and which you are
expected to hit, guided only by the