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"She was a Pole?" "A Polish Jewess." "There was no issue of the marriage, but the Baron outlived her and married again?" Lord Lashmore shifted his feet nervously, and gnawed his finger-nails. "There was issue of the marriage," he snapped. "She was my ancestress." "Ah!" Dr. Cairn's grey eyes lighted up momentarily. "We get to the facts! Why was this birth kept secret?"
There is a chapter in your family history" he fixed his searching gaze upon the other's face "which latterly has been occupying your mind?" At that, Lashmore started in good earnest. "To what do you refer?" "Lord Lashmore, you have come to me for advice. A rare ailment happily very rare in England has assailed you.
"Make out a report of the following facts," continued the latter, beginning to pace up and down the room. He recounted all that he had learnt of the history of the house of Dhoon and all that he had learnt of recent happenings from Lord and Lady Lashmore. His son wrote rapidly. "And now," said the doctor, "for our conclusions.
"Be brave," he said and went out. Lady Lashmore sat still as one who had looked upon Gorgon, her beautiful eyes yet widely opened and her face pale as death; for he had not even told her to hope. Robert Cairn was sitting smoking in the library, a bunch of notes before him, when Dr. Cairn returned to Half-Moon Street. His face, habitually fresh coloured, was so pale that his son leapt up in alarm.
Cairn's face was very stern "I will trouble you no further." He prepared to depart; when "Dr. Cairn!" whispered Lady Lashmore, tremulously, "some dreadful thing, something that I cannot comprehend but that I fear and loathe with all my soul, has come to me. Oh for pity's sake, give me a word of hope! Save for you, I am alone with a horror I cannot name. Tell me " At the door, he turned.
Our family mystery is historical, and there were many fearful glances bestowed upon me, when, at midnight, my father took me aside from the company and led me to the old library. By God! Dr. Cairn fearful as these reminiscences are, it is a relief to relate them to someone!" A sort of suppressed excitement was upon Lashmore, but his voice remained low and hollow.
Sometimes we seem to be granted a glimpse of the guiding Hand that steers men's destinies; then, as comprehension is about to dawn, we lose again our temporal lucidity of vision. The following incident illustrates this. Sir Elwin Groves, of Harley Street, took Dr. Cairn aside at the club one evening. "I am passing a patient on to you, Cairn," he said; "Lord Lashmore."
"I daren't come in, sir! I ran downstairs and called up Sir Elwin Groves. Before he came, all the rest of the household huddled on their clothes and went away " "It was I who found him," interrupted Sir Elwin "as you see him now; with Lady Lashmore where she lies. I have 'phoned for nurses." "Ah!" said Dr. Cairn; "I shall come back, Groves, but I have a small matter to attend to."
Busy all the morning, settling things against my going out of towne this night. After dinner, late took horse, having sent for Lashmore to go with me, and so he and I rode to Dagenhams in the dark. There find the whole family well.
Had the second marriage proved fruitful, the child of Mirza would have been what shall we say? smothered?" "Damn it! What do you mean?" "He was the rightful heir." "Dr. Cairn," said Lashmore slowly, "you are probing an open wound.
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