nd I could see from the little questioning
glances which she kept shooting at me, that she understood that I
disbelieved her statement and that she was at her wits' ends what to do.
We hardly exchanged a word during breakfast, and immediately afterwards
I went out for a walk that I might think the matter out in the fresh
morning air.

"I went as far as the Crystal Palace, spent an hour in the grounds, and
was back in Norbury by one o'clock. It happened that my way took me past
the cottage, and I stopped for an instant to look at the windows and to
see if I could catch a glimpse of the strange face which had looked out
at me on the day before. As I stood there, imagine my surprise, Mr.
Holmes, when the door suddenly opened and my wife walked out!

"I was struck dumb with astonishment at the sight of her, but my
emotions were nothing to those which showed themselves upon her face
when our eyes met. She seemed for an instant to wish to shrink back
inside the house again, and then, seeing how useless all concealment
must be, she came forward with a very white face and frightened eyes
which belied the smile upon her lips.

"'Oh, Jack!' she said, 'I have just been in to see if I can be of any
assistance to our new neighbours. Why do you look at me like that, Jack?
You are not angry with me?'

"'So,' said I, 'this is where you went during the night?'

"'What do you mean?' she cried.

"'You came here. I am sure of it. Who are these people that you should
visit them at such an hour?'

"'I have not been here before.'

"'How can you tell me what you know is false?' I cried. 'Your very voice
changes as you speak. When have I ever had a secret from you? I shall
enter that cottage and I shall probe the matter to the bottom.'

"'No, no, Jack, for God's sake!' she gasped, in incontrollable emotion.
Then as I approached the door she seized my sleeve and pulled me back
with convulsive strength.

[Illustration: "'TRUST ME, JACK!' SHE CRIED."]

"'I implore you not to do this, Jack,' she cried. 'I swear that I will
tell you everything some day, but nothing but misery can come of it if
you enter that cottage.' Then, as I tried to shake her off, she clung to
me in a frenzy of entreaty.

"'Trust me, Jack!' she cried. 'Trust me only this once. You will never
have cause to regret it. You know that I would not have a secret from
you if it were not for your own sake. Our whole lives are at stake on
this. If you come home with me all