might guide a Brennan torpedo. A second soul had stepped in, as it were, had pushed her own aside, and had seized her nervous mechanism, saying:  "I will work this for half an hour."  And Agatha must have been unconscious as she came and as she returned. Could she make her way in safety through the streets in such a state? I put on my hat and hurried round to see if all was well with her. 

 Yes. She was at home. I was shown into the drawing-room and found her sitting with a book upon her lap. 

 "You are an early visitor, Austin," said she, smiling. 

 "And you have been an even earlier one," I answered. 

 She looked puzzled.  "What do you mean?" she asked. 

 "You have not been out to-day?" 

 "No, certainly not." 

 "Agatha," said I seriously, "would you mind telling me exactly what you have done this morning?" 

 She laughed at my earnestness. 

 "You've got on your professional look, Austin. See what comes of being engaged to a man of science. However, I will tell you, though I can't imagine what you want to know for. I got up at eight. I breakfasted at half-past. I came into this room at ten minutes past nine and began to read the 'Memoirs of Mme. de Remusat.'  In a few minutes I did the French lady the bad compliment of dropping to sleep over her pages, and I did you, sir, the very flattering one of dreaming about you. It is only a few minutes since I woke up." 

 "And found yourself where you had been before?" 

 "Why, where else should I find myself?" 

 "Would you mind telling me, Agatha, what it was that you dreamed about me? It really is not mere curiosity on my part." 

 "I merely had a vague impression that you came into it. I cannot recall any thing definite." 

 "If you have not been out to-day, Agatha, how is it that your shoes are dusty?" 

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