breaking point. He had taken this legend of the hound
exceedingly to heart - so much so that, although he would
walk in his own grounds, nothing would induce him to go out
upon the moon at night. Incredible as it may appear, he was
honestly convinced that a dreadful fate overhung his family
and certainly the records which he was able to give of his
ancestors were not encouraging. The idea of some ghastly
presence constantly haunted him, and on more than one
occasion he has asked me whether I had on my medical
journeys at night ever seen any strange creatures or heard
the baying of the hound. The latter question he put to me
several times, and always with a voice which vibrated with
excitement.
I can well remember driving up to his house in the
evening, some three weeks before the fatal event.  He
chanced to be at his hall door.  I had descended from my
