"As a doctor, I ought to say 'No'; as a man who has spent the inside of a week there, I'm moved to say 'Yes.' Surroundings can depress or elevate, of course. That's common knowledge. But there's something more than that here. In the village they told me the place was accursed. Nonsense, of course. Yet---- Honestly, Miss French, I don't know how to tell you... There's--there's a dreadful sinister attraction about the park: there's an unearthly magnetism about the woods--a queer, wistful fascination about the wilderness. At Girdle they swore it was birdless. It may be. There are such places. I certainly saw neither bird nor beast while I was there. And that's not natural. But it's not what you see and hear: it's what you feel. It's terribly hard to explain, but the place appeals most powerfully to the emotions. You feel an irresistible impulse to go to _Something's_ assistance. Of course my eyes were skinned, so I saw the treachery. But I felt the appeal." He halted and threw out a hand. "Imagine a serpent disguised as a beautiful woman in distress--_that's_ Gramarye. And if I'd been there a month, instead of a week----" He stopped suddenly, like a man whose tongue has run away and made a fool of its governor. "And now please forget what I've said. It doesn't affect the case. I went down to see whether there was reason to fear for Major Lyveden's sanity. I've found that there is. And I advise that he be taken away forthwith." "To a home?" "A private house would be better. If it became necessary, he could be moved. But he shouldn't be allowed to have an inkling that his mind is in danger." "I'd be thankful to have him at Bell Hammer." "Your home?" "Yes," said Valerie. "In Hampshire." The doctor resumed his seat and crossed his legs. "You're prepared to undertake it?" he said. "I mean, it may be a very trying responsibility." "Dr. Heron, I hope to become Major Lyveden's wife." The specialist nodded. "Good. Do you wish me to arrange his removal?" "Oh, please." "Very well. Have you a closed car?" "Yes." "Any brothers?" Valerie shook her head. "Why, doctor?" "Because," said Heron, "he will resist. It doesn't matter." "I've two friends who will help me." "Young strong men?" Valerie shivered. "Yes." "Can you trust your chauffeur?" "Implicitly." "Good. Now let's see." He turned the page of a diary and then returned it. "To-morrow's Tuesday. I don't want to waste any time, but we can't rush things. Please have a room at Bell Hammer ready on Friday. I'll arrange for two nurses to go to you that afternoon. I shall go back to Girdle to-morrow evening. I hope I shall want your two friends and the chauffeur with the car during the week-end, but I may have to wait. In any event, I shall wire to you at Bell Hammer, giving them twenty-four hours' notice and telling them where to come. Please tell the chauffeur to have enough petrol and spares to go from Girdle to Hampshire without a break."