"That woman is now a widow. I felt certain that immediately after my
death he would seek her out and marry her. I could not bear the
thought--it possessed me day and night. That, and the terror of dying
alone, worked such a havoc within me that I believe I was scarcely
responsible for my own actions. A mad desire took possession of me to
take my husband with me, and so to keep him from her, and also to have
his company when I passed the barriers of life. I told you that my
brother was a doctor. In his medical-student days the sort of trick I
have been playing on Sir Henry was enacted by some of his
fellow-students for his benefit, and almost scared him into fever. One
day my brother described the trick to me, and I asked him to show me how
it was done. I used a small electric lamp and a very strong reflector."

"How did you find out the secret door of the wardrobe?" I asked.

"Quite by chance. I was putting some dresses into the wardrobe one day
and accidentally touched the secret panel. I saw at once that here was
my opportunity."

"You must have been alarmed at your success," I said, after a pause.
"And now I have one more question to ask: Why did you summon me to
the Grange?"

She made a faint, impatient movement.

"I wanted to be certain that my husband was really very ill," she said.
"I wanted you to talk to him--I guessed he would confide in you; I
thought it most probable that you would tell him that he was a victim of
brain hallucinations. This would frighten him and would suit my purpose
exactly. I also sent for you as a blind. I felt sure that under these