appeared to be genuine sorrow and regret.

"How came she by it, then? Where she did she get it if you didn't give
it to her?"

This time she seemed to be aware that some one besides myself was
talking to her, for, hurriedly rising, she looked at the man with a
wondering stare, before replying.

"I don't know who you are, sir; but I can tell you this, the girl had no
medicine,--took no dose; she wasn't sick last night that I know of."

"Yet I saw her swallow a powder."

"Saw her!--the world is crazy, or I am--saw her swallow a powder! How
could you see her do that or anything else? Hasn't she been shut up in
this room for twenty-four hours?"

"Yes; but with _a_ window like that in the roof, it isn't so very
difficult to see into the room, madam."

"Oh," she cried, shrinking, "I have a spy in the house, have I? But I
deserve it; I kept her imprisoned in four close walls, and never came
to look at her once all night. I don't complain; but what was it you say
you saw her take? medicine? poison?"

"I didn't say poison."

"But you meant it. You think she has poisoned herself, and that I had a
hand in it!"

"No," I hastened to remark, "he does not think you had a hand in it. He
says he saw the girl herself swallow something which he believes to have
been the occasion of her death, and only asks you now where she obtained
it."

"How can I tell? I never gave her anything; didn't know she had
anything."

Somehow, I believed her, and so felt unwilling to prolong the present
interview, especially as each moment delayed the action which I felt it
incumbent upon us to take. So, motioning Q to depart upon his errand, I
took Mrs. Belden by the hand and endeavored to lead her from the
room. But she resisted, sitting down by the side of the bed with the
expression, "I will not leave her again; do not ask it; here is my
place, and here I will stay," while Q, obdurate for the first time,
stood staring severely upon us both, and would not move, though I urged
him again to make haste, saying that the morning was slipping away, and
that the telegram to Mr. Gryce ought to be sent.

"Till that woman leaves the room, I don't; and unless you promise to
take my place in watching her, I don't quit the house."

Astonished, I left her side and crossed to him.

"You carry your suspicions too far," I whispered, "and I think you are
too rude. We have seen nothing, I am sure, to warrant us in any such
action; besides, she can do no ha