“Good.” Potter rose and placed his hand affectionately on Duncan’s shoulder. “I judge more by what you have left unsaid, Duncan, of how you feel about the girl. I would to heaven I could help you!”
“Thanks,” Duncan’s tone was a trifle husky. “I’m afraid there’s nothing anyone can do for me. I must ‘dree my weird.’ But,” his clenched fist came down with a resounding whack on the broad ledge of his Morris-chair arm. “I firmly believe that if Marjorie did steal the codicil, the money, and the pearl necklace, she did it unknowingly, in response to a craze to steal which she could not govern.”
“Perhaps you are right. It may be, Duncan, if Miss Langdon submits to a medical examination....”
“I’ll ask mother to seat you next to Miss Langdon at dinner,” Duncan stood up. “Perhaps then you can decide what is best to be done. Come over early, Paul, I want you to see mother before the other guests arrive.”
“I will.” Potter accompanied Duncan to the closed door and before opening it, added earnestly, “I have not meant to be unfeeling, Duncan, in my efforts to differentiate between stealing as a criminal act, and stealing as an insane impulse.”
“That’s all right, Paul,” hastily. “I came to you for advice, and I know you will help me if you can. Please remember me to Judge and Mrs. Walbridge,” and speaking on other subjects, the two friends made their way to the front door, and Duncan started homeward.
As Duncan motored slowly up Massachusetts Avenue he recognized a familiar figure coming toward him, and making a wide turning, faced his car in the direction Marjorie was going and quickly caught up with her. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she had no idea of his presence until he called her by name. As his voice reached her, she started so violently that her hand-bag slipped from her fingers to the pavement, but before she could stoop to pick it up he was by her side.
“Are you on your way to a luncheon?” he asked, straightening up and placing the bag in her extended hand. “Great heavens! What is the matter?” getting a full look at her tragic face. “Has anything happened to your aunt?”
“No. Oh, no,” she replied hurriedly. “You startled me, coming up so quietly.”
Duncan took her hand in his with an air of quiet authority. “Tell me, what is really the matter?”