"You were wise to leave Elsby. There is no future here for a young man." "I often wondered why you didn't leave, Miss Carroll. I thought, even as a boy, that you were a woman of great ability." "Why did you come today, James?" asked Miss Carroll. "I...." Tremaine started. He looked at the old lady. "I want some information. This is an important matter. May I rely on your discretion?" "Of course." "How long has Mr. Bram lived in Elsby?" * * * * * Miss Carroll looked at him for a long moment. "Will what I tell you be used against him?" "There'll be nothing done against him, Miss Carroll ... unless it needs to be in the national interest." "I'm not at all sure I know what the term 'national interest' means, James. I distrust these glib phrases." "I always liked Mr. Bram," said Tremaine. "I'm not out to hurt him." "Mr. Bram came here when I was a young woman. I'm not certain of the year." "What does he do for a living?" "I have no idea." "Why did a healthy young fellow like Bram settle out in that isolated piece of country? What's his story?" "I'm ... not sure that anyone truly knows Bram's story." "You called him 'Bram', Miss Carroll. Is that his first name ... or his last?" "That is his only name. Just ... Bram." "You knew him well once, Miss Carroll. Is there anything--" A tear rolled down Miss Carroll's faded cheek. She wiped it away impatiently. "I'm an unfulfilled old maid, James," she said. "You must forgive me." Tremaine stood up. "I'm sorry. Really sorry. I didn't mean to grill you. Miss Carroll. You've been very kind. I had no right...." Miss Carroll shook her head. "I knew you as a boy, James. I have complete confidence in you. If anything I can tell you about Bram will be helpful to you, it is my duty to oblige you; and it may help him." She paused. Tremaine waited. "Many years ago I was courted by Bram. One day he asked me to go with him to his house. On the way he told me a terrible and pathetic tale. He said that each night he fought a battle with evil beings, alone, in a cave beneath his house." Miss Carroll drew a deep breath and went on. "I was torn between pity and horror. I begged him to take me back. He refused." Miss Carroll twisted her fingers together, her eyes fixed on the long past. "When we reached the house, he ran to the kitchen. He lit a lamp and threw open a concealed panel. There were stairs. He went down ... and left me there alone. "I waited all that night in the carriage. At dawn he emerged. He tried to speak to me but I would not listen. "He took a locket from his neck and put it into my hand. He told me to keep it and, if ever I should need him, to press it between my fingers in a secret way ... and he would come. I told him that until he would consent to see a doctor, I did not wish him to call. He drove me home. He never called again." "This locket," said Tremaine, "do you still have it?"