rhaps, only a sudden paroxysm. You say you
like him."

"Which indeed I do, sir."

"Then pray be silent. If such a report were spread it would be his
ruin."

"Yes, sir, I thought of all that, and doctors signing things, and
keepers coming to take him to shut him up in cells, with chains, and
darkness, and howlings, and gnashing his teeth. Oh, my poor dear! my
poor dear! Such a bonnie, good, lovable gentleman as you were!"

Mrs Brade threw up her apron to her face and burst out into such a
genuine passion of sobs and tears that Guest was touched, and he rose
and placed his hand upon her arm.

"Hush, hush!" he whispered; "don't take on like that. Perhaps it is
only due to excitement, and he'll soon come round."

"Do you think so, sir?" cried the woman, dropping her apron.

"I do, indeed, if he is kept quiet. Why, if it was known--"

"And the keepers came, sir?"

"Come, come, it's not so bad as that. You have curious ideas about the
treatment of the insane."

"Oh, no, sir; I've heard so much, sir."

"Never mind: we will not argue that. One thing is certain--any worry or
excitement would be sure to make him worse."

"Of course, sir."

At that moment Mr Brade's hard breathing was audible through the door
and curtain, and Guest looked at it uneasily.

"Then you have not told your husband?"

"Indeed, no, sir."

"Then do not. Nor anyone else. We must keep this as our secret, Mrs
Brade. My poor friend will come right I hope and feel, in time; so help
me to guard him from all worry."

"Indeed I will, sir."

"No one must know. It would be bad for him at the institution."

"Yes, sir, and he'd have to give up his chambers, of course, if any of
the neighbours--I mean gentlemen in the other rooms--made complaints."

"All of which we can avoid. It only wants time. There, I'll go up and
see him now, and Mr Brettison, too. Mind, I rely upon your being
discreet."

"Of course, sir, and thank you for coming in. You don't know how much
good you've done me, sir."

"I'm glad you spoke to me," said Guest; and he went across the inn to
Stratton's chambers.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

IN GROSS DARKNESS.

The staircase was very gloomy and quiet as Guest ascended, and he paused
on the landing on finding Stratton's outer door shut, and after a few
moments' hesitation, turned off to the left, meaning to have a few words
with Brettison about their friend's state.

This door was also shut and he turned b