"No," assented the other. "No. How do you explain it, doctor?" Jenkinson sat down, and for a moment studied the pattern of the carpet. "Frankly, Mr. Royce," he said at last, "I don't know how to explain it. The most probable explanation is that Miss Holladay is suffering from some form of dementia--perhaps only acute primary dementia, which is usually merely temporary--but which may easily grow serious, and even become permanent." The theory had occurred to me, and I saw from the expression of Mr. Royce's face that he, also, had thought of it. "Is there no way that we can make sure?" he asked. "She may need to be saved from herself." "She may need it very badly," agreed the doctor, nodding. "Yet, she is of legal age, and absolute mistress of her actions. There are no relatives to interfere--no intimate friends, even, that I know of. I see no way unless you, as her legal adviser, apply to the authorities for an inquest of lunacy." But Mr. Royce made an instant gesture of repugnance. "Oh, that's absurd!" he cried. "We have no possible reason to take such action. It would offend her mortally." "No doubt," assented the other. "So I fear that at present nothing can be done--things will just have to take their course till something more decided happens." "There's no tendency to mental disease in the family?" inquired Mr. Royce, after a moment. "Not the slightest," said the doctor emphatically. "Her father and mother were both sound and well-balanced. I know the history of the family through three generations, and there's no hint of any taint. Twenty-five years ago Holladay, who was then just working to the top in Wall Street, drove himself too hard--it was when the market went all to pieces over that Central Pacific deal--and had a touch of apoplexia. It was just a touch, but I made him take a long vacation, which he spent abroad with his wife. It was then, by the way, that his daughter was born. Since then he has been careful, and has never been bothered with a recurrence of the trouble. In fact, that's the only illness in the least serious I ever knew him to have." There was nothing more to be said, and we turned to go. "If there are any further developments," added the doctor, as he opened the door, "will you let me know? You may count upon me, if I can be of any assistance." "Certainly," answered our junior. "You're very kind, sir," and we went back to our cab.