Then he opened the door stealthily and listened. Not a sound in the house. He stole down the stairs. The key of the garden door was in the lock. He turned it and went out. The night was dark. The wind was sighing in the trees. A bitter rain blew in his teeth. There were still a few patches of snow upon the ground. Silently, looking back at times to see if he were followed, he made his way to the lake. It is nearly half a mile from the Hall. At the south end of it a large willow hangs down to the water’s edge. There beneath it Gerald stood for a few minutes, gazing at the cold surface of the water. Then he took off his coat, wrapped it round a large stone, and flung it into the lake. It sank, and the wavelets caused by its falling came rippling to the margin. He sat down until the last wavelet had spent itself. The wind drove them fast to the shore. Then he rose, clasped his hands, peered down into the deep black water, and---- A hand was laid sharply on his shoulder. He stood transfixed. Harry Venniker, pale as a ghost, stood at his side. For nearly a minute they remained by the water’s edge, the one turning half round with his face towards the lake, the other holding him back. At last Harry Venniker whispered hoarsely, ‘Come away.’ ‘How did you come here?’ was the reply, spoken also in a whisper. ‘I could not sleep,’ said Harry, rapidly. ‘I was sitting up. I heard you get up and open the door and go downstairs. As you did not come back, I went to your room. I found this lying on the table. It told me where you would be. I ran after you. You did not hear my steps; the wind was so loud. I came up just as you threw your coat into the water. I waited and watched. Come away.’ Not a word passed between them as they returned to the Hall. Gerald flung himself again upon his bed. He hid his face in his hands, sobbing convulsively. Harry Venniker sat by his side until morning broke. He was calmer then. Fearing that his presence in the room might excite observation, Harry bent over his unhappy friend and said, ‘I think I must go now. But, Gerald, you must give me your word that you will not do this dreadful thing.’ Gerald said faintly, ‘I promise.’ Then he fell back upon the bed. Just as Harry Venniker was leaving the room Gerald called ‘Harry.’ Harry Venniker returned to the bedside. ‘Harry,’ he said, ‘you remember promising to be my friend for ever, whatever happened.’ ‘Yes,’ replied Harry solemnly, ‘but I never thought of this.’ The only answer was, ‘You have saved me to-night.’ ‘Yes,’ said Harry, ‘thank God.’ Harry Venniker went out. He has never told to man or woman the incident of the night following his sister’s funeral. Next morning it was noticed by the servants that neither Harry Venniker nor Gerald Eversley appeared to have slept in his bed.