The door of the little room opened, but it was not Paula. Mrs. Parkes appeared instead.
"She won't come, sir," said the landlady apologetically. "I told her, and I tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't."
"Then we'll go to her," said Mr. Cooley determinedly.
He made a motion as if he would use force, but Mrs. Parkes, alarmed, held up her arms entreatingly.
"No, please, sir, the poor girl's so frightened! Won't you come to-morrow?"
Dr. Zacharie advanced, full of importance and authority.
"I'll get her," he said grimly. "That is, of course, unless I have completely lost my influence over her. In these cases one can never be sure what form the delusion will take."
"Do as you think best, doctor," assented Mr. Cooley.
Dr. Zacharie opened the door and went in. There was a short delay during which the others waited expectantly. In a few moments the door again opened and Paula entered docily, the physician at her side.