ase send
Mrs. Unthank to me."

The prospect of release was a strange relief, mingled still more
strangely with regret. He lingered over her hand.

"If you walk in your sleep to-night, then," he begged, "you will leave
your dagger behind?"

"I have told you," she answered, as though surprised, "that I have
abandoned my intention. I shall not kill you. Even though I may walk
in my sleep--and sometimes the nights are so long--it will not be your
death I seek."

CHAPTER XI

Dominey left the room like a man in a dream, descended the stairs to his
own part of the house, caught up a hat and stick and strode out into the
sea mist which was fast enveloping the gardens. There was all the chill
of the North Pole in that ice-cold cloud of vapour, but nevertheless his
forehead remained hot, his pulses burning. He passed out of the postern
gate which led from the walled garden on to a broad marsh, with dikes
running here and there, and lapping tongues of sea water creeping in
with the tide. He made his way seaward with uncertain steps until he
reached a rough and stony road; here he hesitated for a moment, looked
about him, and then turned back at right angles. Soon he came to a
little village, a village of ancient cottages, with seasoned, red-brick
tiles, trim little patches of garden, a church embowered with tall
elm trees, a triangular green at the cross-roads. On one side a low,
thatched building,--the Dominey Arms; on another, an ancient, square
stone house, on which was a brass plate. He went over and read the name,
rang the bell, and asked the trim maidservant who answered it, for the
doctor. Presently, a man of youthful middle-age presented himself in the
surgery and bowed. Dominey was for a moment at a loss.

"I came to see Doctor Harrison," he ventured.

"Doctor Harrison retired from practice some years ago," was the
courteous reply. "I am his nephew. My name is Stillwell."

"I understood that Doctor Harrison was still in the neighbourhood,"
Dominey said. "My name is Dominey--Sir Everard Dominey."

"I guessed as much," the other replied. "My uncle lives with me here,
and to tell you the truth he was hoping that you would come and see him.
He retains one patient only," Doctor Stillwell added, in a graver tone.
"You can imagine who that would be."

His caller bowed. "Lady Dominey, I presume."

The young doctor opened the door and motioned to his guest to precede
him.

"My uncle has his own little apartment