"Judging from the explanation you have given me, you are in a very unpleasant position--however the man may be only stunned." "No--no," interrupted Lancaster hurriedly, clasping his hands, "he is dead--I feel sure I killed him--oh, if I could only undo what I have done." "That is impossible," said Roversmire a little sadly, "whatever we do always bears fruit either for good or evil, and we must abide by the consequences of our own acts--of course you killed Trevanna in a fit of passion, but I'm afraid such a plea will not hold good with a jury." "Do you intend to give me up?" cried Adrian in a voice of anguish. "By no means--I was only putting a supposititious case--far from wishing to give you up for a crime committed in such an irresponsible manner I am going to save you." "But how?" "That I will explain, but in order to do so I must tell you my history--it will sound like a romance to you, but luckily I shall be able to prove the truth of it to you by putting you in my own place." "In your own place," said the young man in amazement. "Exactly!" replied Roversmire gravely, "literally in my own place; as it happens I want to do something for which I must have assistance and you are the very person I want to assist me." "Then the garden door--" "Was standing open on purpose. I thought sooner or later it would catch some bird, but I tell you frankly I expected a rough customer--say a burglar--not a gentleman like yourself who is--" "A murderer," groaned Adrian, hiding his face in his hands. "Do not call yourself hard names," said Roversmire with a mocking smile; "you'll find plenty of people who will do that for you, if they see you, and even if they don't--the absent are always wrong." "But they must see me--where can I hide?" "In a very curious place," observed the doctor, "and one where they will never find you. I intend you to vanish." "And fly the country?" "No, you will stay in London, go about everywhere, meet your friends, and lead whatever life pleases you." "But how can I do this if I vanish? I will be arrested if I go out." "No, you will not." "I don't understand." "Nor will you till you hear my story." "I'm ready." The doctor looked piercingly at the young man for a moment, and then gave a satisfied laugh. "I think you'll do," he said coolly, "desperate diseases require desperate remedies, and if you want to escape the strong arm of the law, you will have to undergo a very curious experience." "And that experience." "Forms the sequel to the story I am now going to tell you." Chapter III. The Dissection Of A Soul