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I am willing to forget those which are passed if you will promise that there shall be no more in the future.'

"'I was sure that you would trust me,' she cried, with a great sigh of relief. 'It shall be just as you wish. Come away-oh, come away up to the house.'

"Still pulling at my sleeve, she led me away from the cottage.

As we went I glanced back, and there was that yellow livid face watching us out of the upper window.

What link could there be between that creature and my wife? Or how could the coarse, rough woman whom I had seen the day before be connected with her? It was a strange puzzle, and yet I knew that my mind could never know ease again until I had solved it.

"For two days after this I stayed at home, and my wife appeared to abide loyally by our engagement, for, as far as I know, she never stirred out of the house.

On the third day, however, I had ample evidence that her solemn promise was not enough to hold her back from this secret influence which drew her away from her husband and her duty.

"I had gone into town on that day, but I returned by the 2.40 instead of the 3.36, which is my usual train. As I entered the house the maid ran into the hall with a startled face.

"'Where is your mistress?' I asked.

"'I think that she has gone out for a walk,' she answered.

"My mind was instantly filled with suspicion.

I rushed upstairs to make sure that she was not in the house.

As I did so I happened to glance out of one of the upper windows, and saw the maid with whom I had just been speaking running across the field in the direction of the cottage.

Then of course I saw exactly what it all meant.

My wife had gone over there, and had asked the servant to call her if I should return.

Tingling with anger, I rushed down and hurried across, determined to end the matter once and forever.

I saw my wife and the maid hurrying back along the lane, but I did not stop to speak with them.

In the cottage lay the secret which was casting a shadow over my life.

I vowed that, come what might, it should be a secret no longer.

I did not even knock when I reached it, but turned the handle and rushed into the passage.

"It was all still and quiet upon the ground floor.

In the kitchen a kettle was singing on the fire, and a large black cat lay coiled up in the basket; but there was no sign of the woman whom I had seen before.

I ran into the other room, but it was equally deserted.

Then I rushed up the stairs, only to find two other rooms empty and deserted at the top.

There was no one at all in the whole house.

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