"Could you describe Mr. Treves to me?"
"Yes, miss. He's a good-looking gentleman. Tall, dark hair——"
"Thank you," said Elaine, interrupting him—and her last doubt vanished.
Something had happened to Bernard since yesterday morning, since his departure from the house without saying good-bye to her. He had evidently been seized and incarcerated in the nursing home against his will. Yet, even now, as she strove to accept the fact, her instinct rebelled against it. The thing seemed so motiveless, so utterly outside the natural order of events; and Bernard must have been seized almost immediately after he left his father's house, for she noted that his letter was dated the day before.
She again questioned the young man.
"How long has Mr. Bernard Treves been at St. Neot's Nursing Home?"
"The first time I saw him there, miss, was about two months ago, when he asked me to get him something at a chemist's; but he must have been there more than a month before that. I should think, miss, he's been there going on for three months or thereabouts."
"Three months!"
"About that, miss."
Elaine looked at him with widened eyes. The thing was impossible and incredible. Nevertheless, she dared not let the matter rest where it was. She decided to act, and to act instantly. As yet no suspicion of the truth had dawned upon her.