III

           Ireadovermynotesofwhatthewomansaidwhenshespokeaboutherpowers.Thereisonepointwhichfillsmewithdismay.Sheimpliesthatwhentheinfluenceisslightthesubjectknowswhatheisdoing,butcannotcontrolhimself,whereaswhenitisstronglyexertedheisabsolutelyunconscious.Now,IhavealwaysknownwhatIdid,thoughlesssolastnightthanonthepreviousoccasions.Thatseemstomeanthatshehasneveryetexertedherfullpowersuponme.Waseveramansoplacedbefore?Yes,perhapstherewas,andverynearme,too.CharlesSadlermustknowsomethingofthis!Hisvaguewordsofwarningtakeameaningnow.Oh,ifIhadonlylistenedtohimthen,beforeIhelpedbytheserepeatedsittingstoforgethelinksofthechainwhichbindsme!ButIwillseehimto-day.Iwillapologizetohimforhavingtreatedhiswarningsolightly.Iwillseeifhecanadviseme.4P.M.No,hecannot.Ihavetalkedwithhim,andheshowedsuchsurpriseatthefirstwordsinwhichItriedtoexpressmyunspeakablesecretthatIwentnofurther.AsfarasIcangather(byhintsandinferencesratherthanbyanystatement),hisownexperiencewaslimitedtosomewordsorlookssuchasIhavemyselfendured.HisabandonmentofMissPenclosaisinitselfasignthathewasneverreallyinhertoils.Oh,ifheonlyknewhisescape!HehastothankhisphlegmaticSaxontemperamentforit.IamblackandCeltic,andthishag’sclutchisdeepinmynerves.ShallIevergetitout?ShallIeverbethesamemanthatIwasjustoneshortfortnightago?LetmeconsiderwhatIhadbetterdo.