`I only wish to ask you one last question,' I said. `I only want to know Mrs Catherick's address at Welmingham.'

My request so startled Mrs Clements, that, for the moment, even the tidings of Anne's death seemed to be driven from her mind. Her tears suddenly ceased to flow, and she sat looking at me in blank amazement.

`For the Lord's sake, sir!' she said, `what do you want with Mrs Catherick!'

`I want this, Mrs Clements,' I replied, `I want to know the secret of those private meetings of hers with Sir Percival Glyde. There is something more in what you have told me of that woman's past conduct, and of that man's past relations with her, than you or any of your neighbours ever suspected. There is a secret we none of us know between those two, and I am going to Mrs Catherick with the resolution to find it out.'

`Think twice about it, sir!' said Mrs Clements, rising in her earnestness and laying her hand on my arm. `She's an awful woman -- you don't know her as I do. Think twice about it.'

`I am sure your warning is kindly meant, Mrs Clements. But I am determined to see the woman, whatever comes of it.'

Mrs Clements looked me anxiously in the face.

`I see your mind is made up, sir,' she said. `I will give you the address.'

I wrote it down in my pocket-book and then took her hand to say farewell.

`You shall hear from me soon,' I said; `you shall know all that I have promised to tell you.'

Mrs Clements sighed and shook her head doubtfully.

`An old woman's advice is sometimes worth taking, sir,' she said. `Think twice before you go to Welmingham.'