y, I
must ask you some questions that may embarrass you--it's the only way
out."

Herrick's clear, honest gaze met the doctor's eyes unflinchingly.

"That's all right, sir. Go ahead. I suppose it's about Mrs. Wells?"

"Yes. I am very much interested in her case, not only on your account,
but because she is a wonderful woman. When I write your father I'll tell
him he's going to have a daughter-in-law who will make him sit up and
take notice. Ha, ha!"

The young man's heavy brows contracted gloomily.

"I wish that were true, sir, but--you know what I told you?"

"About her refusing you? Don't worry over that. Just wait until we get
her health built up a little."

"Do you think she will change her mind? Did she say so?" Herrick asked
eagerly.

"Pretty nearly that. If she doesn't marry you, she won't marry anyone.
The fact is--Mrs. Wells is suffering from a nervous strain, I'm not
sure what it is, but there are abnormal symptoms and--I hate to force
your confidence, Chris, but, speaking as Mrs. Wells' medical adviser and
a mighty good friend of yours, a sort of representative of your
father--you know how close your father and I have always been?"

"Yes, sir, I know. I'll do anything you say."

"You want to help this lovely lady? You want to make her happy?"

"That's what I want more than anything in this world," the officer's
grey eyes flashed with the spirit of a lover and a soldier.

"Good. Now the way to do it is--you must help her by helping me. I think
I understand the situation up to a week ago, but since then--well, it's
a little complicated. Mrs. Wells has paid you two visits in the last few
days, hasn't she?"

"Yes. Did she tell you?"

"She told me a little. Try some of that port, Chris, and light another
cigar," the older man said genially. "We may as well be comfortable.
There! Now tell me about Mrs. Wells' first visit--after the dance?"

At this invitation the young officer began quite frankly and with a
certain sense of humor to describe the circumstances that led up to the
climax, but presently he hesitated, and, observing this, Owen said: "No
false delicacy, please. It's extremely important to me as a doctor to
know everything that happened. You say Mrs. Wells came in chilled and
frightened and--then what?"

"Then I threw a couple of logs on the fire and was just going to get
her some brandy against the cold when there came an awful racket
overhead, it shook the whole place and Penelope wa