"Isabella killed Maurice!" said Jen, pushing back his chair. "Impossible, doctor. You must be mistaken."  
"I don't think so," replied Etwald, dryly. "I saw her do it. So did David."
 
"You must be mistaken," insisted the major once more. "David was in London on the night when the crime was committed."
 
"By his own in court, David was in the grounds of Mrs. Dallas on that night."
 
"Yes, yes. You are right!" said Jen, in a bewildered tone. "Still, I cannot believe that Isabella killed Maurice. She loved him dearly, and had no reason to murder him."
 
"None in the world. Yet she certainly took his life."
 
"Why not?" said Etwald, coolly. "Mrs. Dallas had no reason to steal the devil-stick, yet--"
 
"Without a reason! I don't believe it."
 
"Ah, but she was hypnotized. She did not act of her own free will."
 
" the case with Isabella," said the doctor, nodding. "Come, major, I won't worry you any longer with . Dido hypnotized the daughter to commit the crime, as she had willed the mother to steal the devil-stick. Isabella is absolutely ignorant of what she did, and firmly believed that I was the guilty person. Now, of course, she thinks David--by his own confession--is the assassin."
 
"But David confessed himself guilty, to save her?"
 
"Of course; but Isabella does not know that. She thinks--and on the face of it, with reason--that David killed Maurice out of ."
 
"How was it David saw the crime committed?"
 
"I shall explain," said Etwald. "David found out that Maurice was going to meet Isabella that night secretly in the grounds of Mrs. Dallas near the gates. to see the meeting, and to learn if there was any hope for him, he a journey to London in order to any suspicions which Maurice might have that he was being watched. Instead of going, however, he himself at a spot where he could see the gates which opened onto the highway. Now," added Etwald, with a side glance at the major, "it so happened that I also wished to see that meeting."
 
"How did you know it was about to take place?"
 
"I learned the fact from Dido, who advised me of all which went on in the Dallas household, as you may guess. Well, I saw David in his place of and guessed his reason for coming. Maurice appeared at the , and shortly Isabella, under the hypnotic influence, came down the avenue. In her hand she held the devil-stick, and came swiftly toward Maurice. He, not understanding the deadly weapon with which she was armed, came to meet her with outstretched arms. She thrust the devil-stick before her, and wounded him in the palm of the hand. With a cry he fell--dead!"
 
"Within the gates?" asked the major, much .
 
"Yes, within the gates," responded Etwald. "When Isabella had struck the blow she dropped the devil-stick in the grass, where, if you remember, it was afterward found by Battersea. Then she returned to the house by the little path which leads thereto through the surrounding trees. The body lay in the bright moonlight, full in the center of the path, not a stonethrow from the high road. David and I rushed from our hiding-places, and I explained hurriedly that the body must not be found in the grounds. He understood, and we carried the body onto the road. Before we had time to deliberate what was to be done we heard the noise of approaching footsteps, and afraid--both of us--of being accused of the crime, we fled. Then you came down the road and discovered the ."
 
"Yes. I heard the poor lad's cry," said Jen, simply, "and I ran down at once. You must have been very quick in your movements."
 
"There was ample necessity for prompt action," replied Etwald, with some dryness, "as neither David nor I wished to be arrested. But now you can understand how it was that David refused to reply to your questions and agreed to defend me."
 
"I understand. He said, poor lad, that I would approve of his reasons when I knew them, and now that you have explained his I quite agree with his saying. To protect that poor girl, to save you from suffering for a crime which you did not commit, he could have acted in no other fashion. Still, I wish both of you had been more open with me."
 
"I am afraid that would have been impossible, major," said Etwald, rising. "You were so distracted over the death of Maurice, and so unjust in your of me, that it would have been dangerous to trust you."
 
"Am I unjust in my hatred of you?" demanded Jen, getting on his feet. "I think not. Dr. Etwald. Your desire to marry Isabella, or rather her fortune, has been the cause of all these ills. Dido was only your instrument, whom you compelled to work by means of the Voodoo stone. That she betrayed you in the end was your punishment. I do not blame her so much as I do you. You alone are responsible for the death of those two poor lads of mine."
 
"Well, have it your own way," said Etwald, carelessly. "I am a scoundrel in your eyes, I dare say; but if you will permit me to see you to-morrow at eleven o'clock I shall be able to prove that this particular devil--meaning myself, major--is not quite so black as you have painted him."
 
"I never want to set eyes on you again," said Jen, bluntly.
 
"Nor will you--after midday to-morrow. But you will regret if you do not grant me this interview."
 
"What do you wish to say?"
 
"I'll tell you to-morrow."
 
"Can't you say it now?"
 
"No, Major Jen, I can't, and I shan't," retorted Etwald, . "If you are wise you will arrange to let me come here to-morrow at eleven, and meet Mrs. Dallas and her daughter."
 
"Both of them will refuse to meet you. You saw Mrs. Dallas to-day, how she behaved."
 
"Like the fool she is," said the doctor, putting on his hat. "Well, I am going. Will you see me to-morrow morning?"
 
"Yes. I don't know what possible things you can find to say to me after this interview; but, as you make such a point of it, I'll see you."
 
"And ask Mrs. Dallas and her daughter to be present?"
 
"Yes. I'll try an............