So I returned to the child and resumed my examination, and, to my delight, I discovered that she was still alive.

I chafed her hands and gradually she revived, but to my disappointment she remembered nothing--except that something had crept up quietly from behind, and had gripped her round the throat.

Then, apparently, she fainted." "Gripped her round the throat! Then it cannot have been a dog." "No, sir, that is my difficulty, and explains why I brought you out here, where we cannot possibly be overheard.

You have noticed, of course, the peculiar sinuous way in which Lady Arabella moves--well, I feel certain that the white thing that I saw in the wood was the mistress of Diana's Grove!" "Good God, boy, be careful what you say." "Yes, sir, I fully realise the gravity of my accusation, but I feel convinced that the marks on the child's throat were human--and made by a woman." Adam's companion remained silent for some time, deep in thought.
"Adam, my boy," he said at last, "this matter appears to me to be far more serious even than you think.

It forces me to break confidence with my old friend, your uncle--but, in order to spare him, I must do so.