“A severe attack sometimes leaves the brain in a weakened condition and a convalescent patient might become afflicted with an uncontrollable propensity to pilfer shining objects. If such an impulse is not checked at the outset by medical treatment it may gradually develop in a monomania for thieving,” answered Potter. “Do you believe Miss Langdon is a kleptomaniac?” “I do--it is the only grounds on which I can explain her conduct.” “Suppose you give me some of the details of the robberies for which you think Miss Langdon is responsible,” suggested the physician. Quickly and tersely Duncan described the loss of his father’s forty dollars, which had first aroused his suspicions of Marjorie’s honesty; then related all that Admiral Lawrence had confided to him about the stolen codicil. “And to cap the climax,” he concluded, “comes the theft of Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper’s pearl necklace at the ball last night.” After he ceased speaking, Potter, who had listened to his account with absorbed attention, rose and slowly paced the room in deep thought. “Have you any direct proof that Miss Langdon is implicated in the loss of the necklace?” he asked, resuming his seat. “No, none; only an intolerable fear----” Duncan’s voice shook. “I understand.” Potter tugged at the lobe of his right ear until it crimsoned. “Is Miss Langdon poor?” “Naturally,” dryly. “Otherwise she would hardly be earning her own living.” “Very poor,” insistently. “I don’t know about that,” answered Duncan doubtfully. “She dresses extremely well....” “That signifies nothing; the clothes may have been given her by wealthy friends. Has Miss Langdon any relatives dependent upon her?” “Yes, a great-aunt; a lovely old Quakeress. Why do you ask?” “A woman will steal for another when she would not steal for herself....” “Sentiment would not influence a kleptomaniac.” “The mantel of kleptomania, like charity, covers a multitude of sins,” retorted Potter. “Let me explain,” he added, as Duncan’s color rose. “Kleptomaniacs are usually found among the wealthy class; their pleasure is derived from the _act_ of stealing, not in the thing stolen. For instance, a man, possessing a handsome gold watch-chain, will steal a dozen chains, but once the desire to steal is gratified, he never cares to sell or wear the stolen chains; he may even return them to their rightful owners. Now, back of every robbery you cite against Miss Langdon, lies personal gain--the acquisition of forty dollars....” “A small sum for which to ruin oneself,” protested Duncan, fighting stubbornly against his own doubts as well as Potter’s arguments. “The size of the sum is only relative, according to the need for the money. In your eyes forty dollars seems trivial; but perhaps Miss Langdon may have considered the money worth the risk she took.” “She could have gone to mother,” burst in Duncan. “Miss Langdon may have feared a refusal. Suppose we take up the lost codicil....”