he came to you this morning to be paid, and that sharp words passed
between you in your room. This is all very bad, Frayne, and, confused
though it is, it goes against you. The police--"

"What?" cried Richard.

"Were for arresting you at once."

"Arresting me? What for?" cried the young man, indignantly.

"For a murderous assault upon your cousin; but I would not hear of it
now. I said that you would be here if it was found necessary to proceed
against you."

"Oh, but this is madness, sir!" cried Richard, excitedly. "They could
not do that!"

The tutor shook his head.

"We must look troubles in the face, Frayne," he said. "If matters come
to the worst, there must be an inquest, and, whatever you may say, your
fellow-pupils' words will have weight."

Richard literally staggered, and gazed wildly at the heavy face of his
tutor, who went on slowly--

"It is a terrible business, Frayne, and a fearful blow for me. I cannot
blame myself. I always treat those who study with me as gentlemen, and
if the poor fellow upstairs does sink, the consequences must be crushing
for you."

"Never mind me, sir; let's think of my cousin. He must get better!
There, I can think more clearly now. It is as if my head does not feel
so shut up and strange. I won't try to defend myself, sir; but Andrews
and Sinjohn are wrong. I am innocent."

"But you struck your cousin down."

"Yes, sir; I was nearly mad with passion."

"Ah!" sighed the tutor.

"But it was in fair fighting, sir!"

"I am afraid, Frayne, it is manslaughter; and now let us bring this
painful interview to a close. You will have the goodness to go up to
your room, and to stay there until I ask you to come down. Stop! I
think it would be better for you to have legal advice. This is all so
new to me!"

"I'm going to my room--to stay there, sir--but don't do anything about
me till we hear what the great doctor says; it may not be so bad. Can I
see my cousin now?"

"No. The doctor's orders are that no one but the nurse is to enter his
room. There, let us end this painful interview."

"I am innocent, sir, indeed!" it was upon Richard's lips to say; but the
stern, doubting look on the tutor's face checked him, and he went slowly
up to his room, utterly crushed as he sank into a chair, conscious the
next moment that the curtain which separated it from his bedchamber was
pushed aside, and Jerry appeared.

"Been a-waiting, sir. They're a-saying, s