he
curtains were between him and it, but it disturbed Gorman, for it fell
on the chimney-piece and illuminated a group of phials, one of which,
half full of a black liquid, was labelled "_Poison_!"

Gorman started up, and this time did not sit down, but with a trembling
step moved to the fireplace. He stretched out his hand to grasp the
bottle, and almost overturned it, for just at the moment his own figure
intercepted the ray of light, and threw the spot where it stood into
deep shadow.

"What's that?" asked Boone.

"It's only me," said Gorman, "getting you your physic. I almost upset
it in the dark. Here now, drink it off. I can't find the cup, but you
can take it out of the bottle."

"You won't let _him_ come near when you give it, will you?" asked Boone
anxiously.

"No, no; come, open your mouth."

Boone hesitated to do so, but Gorman used a little force. His hands
were steady now! His heart was steeled to the deed, and the cry which
Boone was about to utter was choked by the liquid flowing down his
throat.

Gorman had flung him back with such violence that he lay stunned, while
the murderer replaced the bottle on the chimney-piece and hurried to the
door. A gentle knock at it arrested him, but his indecision was
momentary. He opened the door softly, and going out, said to Mrs Craw
in a whisper--

"He's sleeping now. I found it hard to get him to give up talking, for
he waked up soon after I went in; but he's all right now. I suppose the
medicine is beginning to operate; he told me he took it himself just
before I came in."

"Took it himself!" exclaimed Mrs Craw. "Impossible."

"Well, I don't know, but he's better now. I would let him rest a while
if I were you."

"Stay, sir! I'll go fetch a light," said Mrs Craw.

"Never mind; I know the stair well," said Gorman hurriedly; "don't mind
a light; I shan't want it."

He was right. If any man ever wanted darkness rather than light--thick,
heavy, impenetrable darkness--it was D. Gorman at that time.

"Took it himself!" repeated Mrs Craw in unabated surprise as she closed
the street door. "It's impossible. He's got no more strength than an
unborn hinfant. I must go an' see to this."

Lighting a candle, she went softly into the sick chamber and looked at
the invalid, who was apparently asleep, but breathing heavily. She then
went to the chimney-piece and began to examine the phials there.

"My!" she exclaimed suddenly, with a look of