I afterwards learnt that her
illness was really the result of the dire conflict in her breast
between the old passion of pride and the new invader remorse. There
were, no doubt, many discussions between them concerning me. I could
see plainly enough they both thought my mind was becoming unhinged.
One night, as I lay thinking over the insoluble mystery of Winifred's
disappearance, I was struck by a sudden thought that caused me to
leap from my bed. What could have led the official in Scotland Yard
to connect Winifred with Gypsies? I had simply told him of her
disappearance on Snowdon, and her reappearance afterwards near the
theatre. Not one word had I said to him about her early relations
with Gypsies. I was impatient for the daylight, in order that I might
go to Scotland Yard again. When I did so and saw the official, I
asked him without preamble what had caused him to connect the missing
girl I was seeking with the Gypsies.
'The little fancy baskets she was selling,' said he. 'They are often
made by Gypsies.'
'Of course they are,' I said, hurrying away.
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