When she had ridden away, Mrs. Preston returned to the little sitting room and dropped wearily into a chair.
"He has just gone, escaped!" she exclaimed. "Just before you came."
The doctor whistled. "Do you know where he's gone to?"
She pointed silently to the low wooden building across the neighboring avenue.
"If he makes a row, it will all get out. I shall lose my place."
The doctor nodded.
"Has it happened before?"
"He's tried of late. But I have kept him in and barred the door. This time he forced it open. I was not strong enough to hold it."
The doctor hesitated a moment, and then, as if making a sudden resolve, he took his hat.
"I'll try to bring him back."