y and save your strength," said Yeo softly.

"Yes." Caranby heaved a sigh. "I haven't much left. Well, Cuthbert,
you told me about the ghosts supposed to be haunting the house. I
asked you to go down and see. You came here one night and left at
eight o'clock to go down to Rexton."

"I never expected you to follow. Why did you not come with me?"

"Because I was keeping something back from you. On the previous day I
received a letter. There was no name to it, and the writing was
disguised. It advised me to see Selina Loach, and said I would be
surprised when she spoke to me."

"Because then you would recognize the woman you believed to be dead."

"Exactly," said Caranby faintly, "but at the time I knew nothing, and
was much puzzled with the letter. On that night I intended to tell
you, but I did not. Then I thought I would go down to Rose Cottage and
prove the truth of the letter. I went almost immediately after you,
Cuthbert."

"What, in your state of health?"

"Yes. I was stronger then."

"And have been less strong since," murmured Yeo. "I understand now why
you refused to tell me how you had over-exerted yourself."

"I had my secret to keep," said Caranby coldly, "some more drink,
please." Then, when he felt better, he continued "Yes! I was
wonderfully well and strong on that night. I climbed the wall--"

"Impossible!" said Mallow, "I can't believe that."

"Nevertheless it is the truth. I expect the excitement made me
unnaturally strong. I suffered greatly when it was over."

"You were a wreck," said the physician bluntly.

"When what was over?" asked Mallow, anxiously.

"The event of the night to which I am coming. It took me some time to
get to Rexton, and a long time to walk to the unfinished house. I did
not go down Crooked Lane, but round by the wall."

"Did you come by, the railway station path?"

"I did not. I took a wide detour and arrived at the unfinished house
on the side opposite to where Rose Cottage stood."

"Ah!" murmured the young man. "No wonder I missed you. But I thought
you were calling on Miss Loach."

"I intended to, but first I thought I would assure myself about the
ghosts. Certainly I had set you to perform that task, but, as I was on
the spot, I determined to see for myself. I climbed the wall, not
without difficulty, and found myself in the park--"

"About what time was this?"

"After ten. I can't say how long. But I really cannot be precise a