found dead this morning in his library. He had been
writing, and had not gone to bed. She discovered him, and it was an
awful shock. She has just gone from one faint to another. Her mother
sent me here, though Mrs. Grandon has gone to her."

Are the horrors of this strange night never to cease? For a moment
Floyd seems stricken dumb, then the tidings appear quite impossible.

"No one could do anything," Mrs. Locke says. "A physician came, but he
was quite dead; and he, Dr. Radford, ordered some members of your
family to be sent for immediately."

"Eugene," calls Floyd. "Here, change coats with me if I can get into
yours. There is trouble at Marcia's. Remain here until I send you
word," and he springs into the large carriage, driving away at full
speed.

The house wears an unusual aspect. Several people are gathered on the
porch. Floyd hurries within, and goes straight through to the library,
lifting the portiere. Dr. Radford is sitting by the window. Jasper
Wilmarth is still in his chair, his head fallen over on the desk,
pillowed by one arm. The swarthy face is now marble pale, the line of
eyebrows blacker than ever, the lips slightly apart.

Radford bows and steps forward. "Mr. Grandon--I am glad you have come,
for there is a little--a--I wish to tell _you_--before any steps are
taken. It is suicide, beyond doubt, by prussic acid. Can you divine any
cause?"

Floyd Grandon is as pale as the corpse, and staggers a step or two; but
when the terrible shock abates, an admiration for his enemy pervades
his very soul. It is what he would have done rather than meet criminal
disgrace.

"I have been treating him for a heart trouble, not anything critical,
and a local affection that caused him some anxiety. My first thought
was that he had taken an overdose of medicine, but I detected the
peculiar odor. Had there better be an inquest?"

Floyd shivers at the thought of the publicity. Death seems by far the
best solution of events, but to make a wonderment and scandal--

"Is it absolutely necessary?"

"Not unless the family desire it."

"Doctors are sometimes taken into strange confidences," Floyd Grandon
begins, gravely. "A difficulty came to my knowledge last night that
supplies the clew. Since the man could not have retained his honor,
this is the sad result. But having paid the penalty, if he might go to
his last rest quietly----"

"There can be no suspicion of foul play. His wife left him here
writing, at ele