‘I was struck dumb with astonishment at the sight of her, but my emotions were nothing to those which showed themselves upon her face when our eyes met. She seemed for an instant to wish to shrink back inside the house again, and then, seeing how useless all concealment must be, she came forward with a very white face and frightened eyes which belied the smile upon her lips.

“‘Oh, Jack!” she said, “I have just been in to see if I can be of any assistance to our new neighbours. Why do you look at me like that, Jack? You are not angry with me?”

“‘So,” said I, “this is where you went during the night?”

“‘What do you mean?” she cried.

“‘You came here. I am sure of it. Who are these people that you should visit them at such an hour?”

“‘I have not been here before.”

“‘How can you tell me what you know is false?” I cried. “Your very voice changes as you speak. When have I ever had a secret from you? I shall enter that cottage, and I shall probe the matter to the bottom.”

“‘No, no, Jack, for God’s sake!” she gasped, in incontrollable emotion. Then as I approached the door, she seized my sleeve and pulled me back with convulsive strength.

“‘I implore you not to do this, Jack,” she cried. “I swear that I will tell you everything some day, but nothing but misery can come of it if you enter that cottage.” Then, as I tried to shake her off, she clung to me in a frenzy of entreaty.

“‘Trust me, Jack!” she cried. “Trust me only this once. You will never have cause to regret it. You know that I would not have a secret from you if it were not for your own sake. Our whole lives are at stake on this. If you come home with me all will be well. If you force your way into that cottage, all is over between us.”

‘There was such earnestness, such despair, in her manner that her words arrested me, and I stood irresolute before the door.

“‘I will trust you on one condition, and on one condition only,” said I at last. “It is that this mystery comes to an end from now. You are at liberty to preserve your secret, but you must promise me that there shall be no more nightly visits, no more doings which are kept from my knowledge. 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 plucking 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 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.