"When he turned up the lamp at the end of this strange scene, I noticed for the first time that the idol was decorated with precious stones of extraordinary value. To leave such valuables in a room with an unlocked door was in itself a symptom of insanity, and when I parted with Thesiger for the night I had not the least doubt that my unfortunate host was really insane. All the same, I had a curious unwillingness with regard to signing the certificate. Bagwell eagerly asked me if I did not intend to sign. To his astonishment, I replied in the negative. I said that the case was a very peculiar one, and that it would be necessary for me to pay a second visit to the patient before I could take this extreme step. He was, I could see, intensely annoyed, but I remained firm." Laurier stopped speaking and looked me full in the face. "Well?" I asked. "I have come to consult with you over the matter. You remember what you said about the responsibility of signing such certificates! It is on account of those words I have come to you." "Well, Dr. Laurier," I answered, "I shall of course be happy to do anything I can to help you, but I must frankly confess that I fail to see exactly on what point I can be of service. I know little about disease in general, and nothing about mental diseases in particular. Miss Thesiger seems to think that there is foul play; but have you any suspicions on your own account?" "I have no proofs, but, all the same, I do suspect foul play, although, perhaps, I have no right to say so." "Then what do you want me to do?" I asked. "This," he answered. "Will you come down with me to Somersetshire as my friend, and in the _role_ of a great spiritualist? Thesiger will be only too delighted to meet some one of his own way of thinking. Will you come?" I thought for a moment--it was not a _role_ I cared to assume, but the case was peculiar, and might possibly lie within my province. I eventually agreed to accompany Laurier into Somersetshire, and, as a matter of fact, went down with him the next day. He had telegraphed our arrival to The Hynde, and a hearty invitation was accorded to me. As we were driving through the grounds late the following afternoon we were met by a tall girl, who was accompanied by two thoroughbred retrievers. "Here is Miss Thesiger," said Laurier. He called to the driver to stop, and jumping down, went to her side. I accompanied him. "Miss Thesiger," said Laurier, "let me introduce my friend, Mr. John Bell." She looked me full in the face, then her grey eyes seemed to lighten with momentary pleasure, and she held out her hand. "What have you come back for?" she asked the next moment, turning to Laurier. "To see your uncle." "Are you to meet Dr. Dalton?" her lips trembled.