"Really dead?" retorted Mackenzie. "Don't you understand that he has been in his grave for six months?--That I practically saw him die?--That I attended his funeral? By what possible chance can the man be alive?" "None," I replied. "He is dead, of course. I am sorry for the poor girl. She ought to leave home immediately." "Girls of her age often have delusions," said Mackenzie. "I doubt not this will pass in time. I am surprised, however, that the Heathcotes allowed the thing to go on so long. I remember now that I have never been near the house since the funeral. I cannot understand their not calling me in." "That fact puzzles me also," I said. "They came to me, a total stranger, instead of consulting their family physician, and Mrs. Heathcote carefully concealed the most important part of her daughter's malady. It is strange altogether; and, although I can give no explanation whatever, I am convinced there is one if we could only get at it. One more question before I go, Mackenzie. You spoke of Heathcote as a solicitor: has he left his family well off?" "They are not rich," replied Mackenzie; "but as far as I can tell, they don't seem to want for money. I believe their house, Ivy Hall is its name, belongs to them. They live there very quietly, with a couple of maid-servants. I should say they belonged to the well-to-do middle classes." "Then money troubles cannot explain the mystery?" I replied. "Believe me, there is no mystery," answered Mackenzie, in an annoyed voice. I held out my hand to wish him good-bye, when a loud peal at the front door startled us both. If ever there was frantic haste in anything, there was in that ringing peal. "Someone wants you in a hurry," I said to the doctor. He was about to reply, when the door of the consulting-room was flung wide open, and Gabrielle Heathcote rushed into the room. "Mother is very ill," she exclaimed. "I think she is out of her mind. Come to her at once." [Illustration: "GABRIELLE HEATHCOTE RUSHED INTO THE ROOM."] She took Mackenzie's hand in hers. "There isn't a minute to lose," she said, "she may kill herself. She came to me with a carving-knife in her hand; I rushed away at once for you. The two servants are with her now, and they are doing all they can; but, oh! pray, do be quick." At this moment Gabrielle's eyes rested on me. A look of relief and almost ecstasy passed over her poor, thin little face. "You are here!" she exclaimed. "You will come, too? Oh, how glad I am." "If Dr. Mackenzie will permit me," I replied, "I shall be only too pleased to accompany him." "By all means come, you may be of the greatest use," he answered. We started at once. As soon as we left the house Gabrielle rushed from us. "I am going to have the front door open for you both when you arrive," she exclaimed. She disappeared as if on the wings of the wind. "That is a good girl," I said, turning to the other doctor. "She has always been deeply attached to both her parents," he answered.