As he looked down at the end of the white table-cloth which touched the floor a loud laugh from Dudley startled him and made him look up. And when he did so the conviction that his friend was mad, or, at least, subject to attacks of insanity, flashed into his mind more strongly than ever. Dudley was leaning back, tilting his chair till it touched the dinner table, distending his jaws in a hard, mocking laugh as unlike mirth as possible. "Oh, yes, so I've heard--so I've heard!" repeated he, mockingly. "And, of course, that's all you've heard, isn't it? And you've never taken the trouble to make any personal inquiries in the matter? Or thought of taking a journey, say, as far as Plumtree Wharf to make any private investigations?" Max was startled. He saw clearly enough that which he would fain have denied--that Dudley was in communication with the people at the wharf, from whom he must have obtained this information. For a moment he was silent. It was not until Dudley's harsh laughter had died away, and he, rather surprised to see how quietly Max took his accusation, had wheeled round in his chair to look at his friend, that Max said: "Well, I did go to the wharf. And I'll tell you why. Doreen is breaking her heart about you, and she would have me find out what was wrong with you." Then there was silence. "God bless her!" said Dudley at last, in a hoarse whisper. Another silence. "What did you tell her?" whispered Dudley. "What could I tell her? I said you were mad." "And what did you--_think_?" "Well, I hardly know myself." "That's right! That's the proper attitude!" cried Dudley. And then he laughed again uproariously. And in the midst of his laughter there was a knock at the door. For a moment neither man moved. Then Dudley got up slowly and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Max heard him open the outer door, and then he heard a voice he knew--a young girl's voice--say: "This is Mr. Dudley Horne's place, and you are Mr. Dudley Horne?" "Yes." "Then let me come in. I've come from--" The voice dropped, and Max did not catch the rest. "Stop! I'll speak to you here," said Dudley, trying to keep her in the little ante-room. But the girl came straight in. It was Carrie. CHAPTER XVII. A SORCERESS. Max was standing on the other side of the lamp, and Carrie did not see him. She announced her errand at once in a straightforward and matter-of-fact manner. "Dick Barker's been nabbed for stealing a watch. You've got to get him off." "What do you mean? I've got to get him off?" cried Dudley, indignantly. Carrie laughed. "It's the message I was told to give you; that's all." "Well, take this message back: that I refuse to have anything to do with your pickpocket." Carrie turned to the door. "All right. I'm to say that to Mrs. Higgs?" "Stop!" thundered Dudley. Carrie paused, with her hand on the door. "Did Mrs. Higgs send you?" "Yes." "Then wait a minute."