"Here comes some one," he announced, with the old whimsical twist of his lips, "who will know all about it. The secrets of the other world are as plain as day to him. He has told me so himself."
The door of Willem's room opened, and Dr. McPherson came out on the landing. He moved slowly, hesitatingly, as though impelled by some force outside his logical comprehension.
Still walking as if drawn forward half against his will, the doctor descended the stairs to the big living-room. At the stair-foot stood Peter Grimm, with outstretched hands to receive him.
"Well, Andrew," said the Dead Man, in the tone of banter that had never in life failed to "get a rise" out of his medical crony, "I apologise. You were right. I was mistaken. I didn't know what I was talking about. So I've come back, as I promised, to keep our compact and to apologise. You see, I----"
"Well, Doctor," asked Kathrien, looking back into the room at sound of McPherson's steps, "how is Willem?"
"Better," answered McPherson. "He's dropped off to sleep again. I'm still a bit puzzled about his case. It's----"
"Andrew! _Andrew!_" interrupted the Dead Man, almost fiercely. "I've got a message to deliver, but I can't get it across. This sort of thing is your own beloved specialty. Now's your chance. The chance you've always been longing for. Tell her I don't want her to marry Frederik! Tell her I----"
"A puzzling condition," continued McPherson, unhearing. "I can't quite grasp the meaning----"
"What meaning?" demanded Peter Grimm. "Mine? Try again. Tell her I don't want her to----"
"But," went on McPherson, drawing out pad and fountain pen, "I'll leave this prescription for one of the gardeners to take over to the druggist's. I'll leave it as I go out. I'll be back in--Why, what's up, Kathrien? What has happened? Oh, you've thought it over, eh? That's good. That's the way it should be. I left you all tears and now I find you all smiles. It----"
"Yes," answered Kathrien, half ashamed at her own oddly changed spirits. "I am happier for some reason. Much, _much_ happier than I've been for days and days. I've--I've had such a strange feeling this past few minutes!"
"Have, eh?" asked McPherson curiously. "H'm! So have I. It's in the air, I suppose. I've been as restless as a hungry mouse. Something, for instance, seemed to draw me downstairs here. I can't explain it."