"When we reached the quay I got into an open fly; the Baron sat on the seat beside me, two policemen sat on the seat in front of me, and two more policemen kept the driver in countenance upon the box. In this way we drove through the streets of Antwerp. We arrived at the _bureau_. I was shown into what seemed to be a kind of office; the Baron followed me, closed the door behind him; we were alone. Directly we were alone he threw his _képi_ on the floor. I thought the man was mad. "'Jennie!' he cried. 'Mees Nash! What is the meaning of all this? Unfold this mystery.' "'It is you who must do that. It is I who require an explanation from you.' "'You have not married Monsieur Pearson?' "'Baron d'Ardigny!' "'How came you then to be with him on his ship?' "'You might as well ask how I came to be the passenger of a train of which a man named Brown was guard.' "'Oh, if you only knew what I have suffered. Your image is where it always was.' He slapped his hand against his right side, where, probably, he supposed his heart to be. 'You have treated me--ah, how you have treated me! But no matter. The past is past. It is for the future that we live. Tell me, what is it you have done?" "'It occurs to me that I have done one thing, lost my senses.' "'I am your friend; do not be afraid. No matter for the past. I say it is for the future that we live. Is it murder?' "'Murder!' "'We will say then it is not murder. Thank goodness, it is not that! But there are other things besides. Is it forgery?' "'Forgery!' "'Is it something you have stolen? Perhaps a little money, or some jewellery, or something of value from your friends.' "'Baron d'Ardigny, during your acquaintance with me did I strike you as being of the material of which thieves are made?' "'Ah, who shall say! No man can tell! There was one woman I loved before I was in love with you. She did not use me so bad as you; she was an angel! She was what you call shoplifter. One day I went to see her; she was not there. I did not see her for a long time. I thought that she was dead. One day I was in a prison; she was among the prisoners. When she saw me she laughed; she put out her tongue and winked her eye. The anguish is still here.' "'Putting aside the question of what I have done, or left undone, perhaps you will tell me of what it is I am accused?' "'How should I know?' "'If you don't know, I don't know who should.' "'It is they who are coming who shall know.' "'And pray who is coming?' A thought occurred to me. 'Is it Conrad?' "'Conrad! Who is Conrad? Ah! I forgot there was a Conrad.' His manner changed. Crossing his arms upon his chest he glared at me, as the bad characters sometimes glare at the Adelphi. 'Miserable! You wish to play again with me the fool!' "Dear mamma, if you can imagine the Baron d'Ardigny as being madder than he used to be--do!