or had led
to the conclusion that the thieves had been admitted from within; a
London detective had therefore been sent for, who was to come in the
guise of a clerk from the distillery, bringing down the books to Mr.
Fulmort, and Phoebe was forbidden to reveal his true character to any one
but Miss Fennimore. So virulently did Mervyn talk of Smithson, that
Phoebe was sorry she had recognized him, and became first compassionate,
then disconcerted and shocked. She rose to leave the room as the only
means of silencing him; he got up to come after her, abusing the law
because house-breaking was not a hanging matter, his face growing more
purple with passion every moment; but his steps suddenly failed, his
exclamation transferred his fury to his own giddiness, and Phoebe, flying
to his side, was only just in time to support him to a couch. It was the
worst attack he had yet had, and his doctors coming in the midst of it,
used prompt measures to relieve him, and impressed on both him and his
sister that everything would depend on perfect quiet and absence from all
disturbance; and he was so much exhausted by the reaction of his
excitement, loss of blood, and confusion of head, that he attempted
little but long fretful sighs when at length he was left to her. After
much weariness and discomfort he fell asleep, and Phoebe ventured to
creep quietly out of the library to see Miss Charlecote, who was hearing
the night's adventures in the schoolroom. Scarcely, however, had Honor
had time to embrace the little heroine, whose conduct had lost nothing in
Miss Fennimore's narration, when a message came from Elverslope. It was
the day of the petty sessions, and a notable bad character having been
taken up with some suspicious articles upon him, the magistrates were
waiting for Mr. Fulmort to make out the committal on his evidence.

'I must go instead,' said Phoebe, after considering for a moment.

'My dear,' exclaimed Honor, 'you do not know how unpleasant it will be!'

'Mervyn must sleep,' said Phoebe; 'and if this be an innocent man, he
ought to be cleared at once. If it be not improper, I think I ought to
go. May I?' looking at the governess, who suggested her speaking to the
superintendent, and learning whether her brother had been absolutely
summoned.

It proved to be only a verbal message, and the superintendent urged her
going, telling her that her evidence would suffice for the present, and
that she would be the most