band had talked much of the Endicott case, which was
not good for a woman of her peculiarities. By inspiration, insane
suggestion, she assumed that I was the man sought for, and built up the
theory as you have heard. First, she persuaded her good-natured husband,
with whom I am acquainted, to investigate among my acquaintances for the
merest suspicion, doubt, of my real personality. A long and minute
inquiry, the details of which are in writing in my possession, was made
by the detective with one result: that no one doubted me to be what I
was born."

Livingstone cast a look at him to see the expression which backed that
natural and happy phrase. Arthur Dillon might have borne it.

"She kept at her husband, however, until he had tried to surprise my
relatives, my friends, my nurse, and my mother, ... yes, even my
confessor, into admissions favorable to her mad dream. My rooms, my
papers, my habits, my secrets were turned inside out; Mrs. Endicott was
brought on from Boston to study me in my daily life; for days I was
watched by the three. In the detective's house I was drugged into a
profound sleep, and for ten minutes the two women examined my sleeping
face for signs of Horace Endicott. When all these things failed, Sister
Claire dragged her unwilling husband to California, where I had spent
ten years of my life, and tried hard to find another Arthur Dillon, or
to disconnect me with myself. She proved to her own satisfaction that
these things could not be done. But there is a devil of perversity in
her. She is like a boa constrictor ... I think that's the snake which
cannot let go its prey once it has seized it. She can't let go. In
desperation she is risking her own safety and happiness to make public
her belief that I am Horace Endicott. In spite of the overwhelming
proofs against the theory, and in favor of me, she is bent on bringing
the case into court."

"Risking her own safety and happiness?" Livingstone repeated.

"If the wild geese among the Irish could locate Sister Claire, who is
supposed to have fled the town long ago, her life would be taken. If
this suit continues she will have to leave the city forever. Knowing
this the devil in her urges her to her own ruin."

"You have kept close track of her," said Livingstone.

"You left me no choice," was the reply, "having sprung the creature on
us, and then thrown her off when you found out her character. If she had
only turned on her abettors and wracked th