“Obey me,” he went on, with honeyed sweetness, “and show by your reserve that you are already my ally; intelligent as you are, you must surely understand this fine point. The day is not far off, unless I am mistaken, when I shall be able to tell you about everything. You shall then see the magnificent things that I have dreamt of, and of which I destine a share for you.” “Meanwhile, since you know about Macbeth’s absence--come, here is a sign of the good faith I ask of you. Come with me and visit him. We shall decide if he is strong enough to stand a railway journey, and the crossing.” After a short hesitation I followed him into the yellow drawing-room. * * * * * The madman at the sight of him humped his back, and growling recoiled into a corner with a look of terror and a revengeful gleam in his eye. Lerne thrust me in before him--I was afraid he meant to shut me in. “Take hold of his hands and bring him into the middle of the room.” Donovan allowed me to touch him. The Doctor examined him thoroughly, but obviously the scar attracted his greatest attention. In my opinion, the rest of the inspection was merely a sham for my benefit. The scar--it was an incised crown that almost disappeared under the long hair; a wound that went round the back of the head. What possible fall could have caused it? “His health is excellent,” said my uncle. “You see, Nicolas, he was violent at first, and hurt himself badly all over. In a fortnight, it will all have disappeared. He can be taken away. The consultation is at an end. So you advise me to get rid of him as soon as possible, Nicolas? Tell me your opinion, I attach value to it.” I congratulated him on his resolution, although so much kindliness kept me on the alert. Lerne gave a sigh. “You are right! The world is so evil-minded. I am going to write immediately. Will you take my letter to the post at Grey? It will be ready in ten minutes.” My nerves relaxed. I had asked myself as I came into the _château_ if I should ever come out again, and sometimes, even now the demon of unhealthy dreams shows me the madman’s room as a dungeon. The old rascal was really showing himself paternal and benevolent; though he could dispose of my liberty and imprison me, he sent me for a run in the fields, which might have ended in a flight. Was a freedom, granted so readily, worth profiting by? I wasn’t such a fool! I would not make use of it. * * * * * Whilst Lerne was writing his letter to the Macbeths, I went for a stroll in the park, and I there witnessed an incident which made the strangest possible impression upon me.