“It would not be just to you or to Karl were I to conceal my firm conviction that you both are faced with a most serious problem. Certain events which took place in this hotel to-night, combined with my own observations of Karl’s health, force me to tell you that the ensuing week may see the gravest developments, so far as he is concerned. In my opinion, I can best help him by taking a journey to Italy, without losing an unnecessary hour. I want you also to help, and I am sending you this letter by the hands of one who is a friend of Karl’s, anxious to be of service to you, and thoroughly acquainted with the present critical condition of affairs. Trust him, as I hope you will trust me, to act for the common good.” I read through what I had written, not once, but half a dozen times. Letters to excitable young ladies are dangerous as the boomerang in the hands of a novice. If the worst came to the worst, and Karl died, who could tell what hubbub might be raised by Nora Cazenove? At any rate, it was quite inadvisable to allude more specifically to the uncanny workings of a sixth sense. “Telegnomy and a coroner’s jury do not run in tandem,” said Hooper, taking my view of the need there was to use guarded phrases. He also approved of the reference to Italy. “She has jumped Maggie’s claim and she knows it. It may be my regrettable duty to make that clear right away,” he remarked. “Do not blame the girl,” I said. “Remember that the match was made by Mr. Grier and Lord Sandilands.” “I guess that didn’t worry Nora. But your best train leaves at nine in the morning, and you have a voice like a crow. If you don’t give it a rest you will not be able to ask for your ticket. Leave Nora to me, there’s a good chap. I’ll fix her.” I had seen Nora ablaze with the fire of the gods, so I doubted the effect of Hooper’s coercion or persuasiveness. Yet he had brought action where there was uncertainty, substituted ordered effort for chaos, and I was grateful to him. Hence, I slept and breakfasted, and caught the first morning express for the Continent. CHAPTER XXII NORA FACES THE INEVITABLE