ve you," she faltered. "I need a friend! Oh, if you
could know how I have been torn by doubts--beset by fears--oppressions."
Her voice quivered. "There is something wrong somewhere--I can't tell
you everything--if you would help me--wait. May I test you with a
question?"

"A thousand if you like."

"And you will answer--truthfully?" In her eagerness she was like a
child.

He smiled. "If I answer at all, be sure it will be truthful."

"Tell me then, is Dr. Fall your friend?"

"He is my dearest enemy," he returned, promptly.

He had only the dimmest notion as to the identity of Dr. Fall, but it
seemed that a lie was demanded--Poltavo could lie very easily.

"Or Mr. Gorth?" she asked, and he shook his head.

She drew a deep breath of relief. "And my uncle?" The question was a
whisper. She appeared to hang upon his reply.

The Count hesitated. "I do not know," he admitted finally. "If he were
not influenced by Dr. Fall, I believe he would be my friend." It was a
bow at a venture. He was following the bent of her inclination.

For the first time that evening Doris looked at him with interest.

"May I ask how your uncle came to know Gorth?"

He asked the question with the assurance of one who knew all that was to
be known save on this point.

She hesitated awhile.

"I don't quite know. The doctor we have always known. He lives in the
country, and we only see him occasionally. He is----" She hesitated and
then went on rapidly: "I think he has rather dreadful work. He is in
charge of a lunatic."

Poltavo was interested.

"Please go on," he said.

The girl smiled. "I am afraid you are an awful gossip," she rallied, but
became more serious. "I don't like him very much, but uncle says that is
my prejudice. He is one of those quiet, sure men who say very little and
make one feel rather foolish. Don't you know that feeling? It is as
though one were dancing the tango in front of the Sphinx."

Poltavo showed his white teeth in a smile.

"I have yet to have that experience," he said.

She nodded.

"One of these days you will meet Dr. Fall and you will know how helpless
one can feel in his presence."

A remarkable prophecy which was recalled by Poltavo at a moment when he
was powerless to profit by the warning.

"Mr. Gorth?"

Again she hesitated and shrugged her shoulders.

"Well," she said frankly, "he is just a common man. He looks almost
like a criminal to my mind. But apparently he has been a loyal s