The turnkey unlocked the door.
Dr. Hart came out alone, and the door was locked after him.
Mr. Berners left the side of Beatrix, and went to meet the physician.
"Well?" inquired Sybil's husband.
"My dear sir, hope for the best. She has yet to be visited by my colleague, Dr. Bright, late of the State Insane Asylum. He is, of course, an expert in cases of insanity. His report will have more weight than mine in regard to her case. But I tell you this in confidence. I ought really not to give any sort of opinion to any one at this point of the investigation."
And with a friendly shaking of hands and a polite bow, Dr. Hart went below.
A few minutes passed, and Dr. Bright, who was a stranger to Mr. Berners, came up and passed to the door of the cell, which was opened for him by the turnkey in attendance.
The "mad doctor," as he was popularly called, remained more than an hour shut up with his patient.
At length he came out, bowed to the lady and gentleman that he saw waiting in the corridor, and went down stairs.
Mr. Berners would have given much for the privilege of questioning the "mad doctor;" but as such a privilege could not be obtained at any price, he was forced to bear his suspense as well as he could.