In leaving the letter for me to read, my aunt had written across it a line in pencil: You can go with us, David, if you like.'

My curiosity was strongly roused. It is needless to say I decided on being present at the visit to Bedlam.

CHAPTER IV.

ON the appointed Monday we were ready to accompany my aunt to the madhouse.

Whether she distrusted her own unaided judgment, or whether she wished to have as many witnesses as possible to the rash action in which she was about to engage, I cannot say. In either case, her first proceeding was to include Mr. Hartrey and Fritz Keller in the invitation already extended to the lawyer and myself.

They both declined to accompany us. The head-clerk made the affairs of the office

serve for his apology, it was foreign post

day, and he could not possibly be absent from his desk. Fritz invented no excuses; he confessed the truth, in his own outspoken manner. 'I have a horror of mad people,' he said, 'they so frighten and distress me, that they make me feel half mad myself. Don't ask me to go with you-and oh, dear lady, don't go yourself.'

out.

My aunt smiled sadly-and led the way

We had a special order of admission to the Hospital which placed the resident superintendent himself at our disposal. He received my aunt with the utmost politeness, and proposed a scheme of his own for conducting us over the whole building; with an invitation to take luncheon with him afterwards at his private residence.

'At another time, sir, I shall be happy to avail myself of your kindness,' my aunt said, when he had done. For the present, my object is to see one person only among the unfortunate creatures in this asylum.'

'One person only?' repeated the super

'On the contrary,' my aunt replied, ‘I wish to see a poor friendless creature, found in the streets; known here, as I am informed, by no better name than Jack Straw.'

The superintendent looked at her in blank amazement.

'Good Heavens, madam!' he exclaimed ; are you aware that Jack Straw is one of

I have heard that he bears the cha

racter you describe,' my aunt quietly admitted.

6

'And yet you wish to see him?'

I am here for that purpose-and no

other.'

The

The superintendent looked round at the lawyer and at me, appealing to us silently to explain, if we could, this incomprehensible desire to see Jack Straw. lawyer spoke for both of us. He reminded the superintendent of the late Mr. Wagner's peculiar opinions on the treatment of the insane, and of the interest which he had taken in this particular case. To which my

aunt added: And Mr. Wagner's widow feels