ven. He seemed rather as if he wished her away, and she
retired, falling soundly asleep. He has sometimes remained down all
night, and even when she entered the room this morning she supposed him
still asleep. I should judge the poison had been taken somewhat after
midnight. There are various phases of accidental death----"

"Let it be managed as quietly as is lawful," decides Floyd Grandon.

Dr. Radford bows. "A post mortem will be sufficient, though that is not
absolutely necessary. You prefer it to pass as an accidental death?"

"The family would, I am positive. Can I intrust the matter with you?"

"Certainly."

"Well. Prepare the body for burial. Mrs. Wilmarth may choose to order
the rest."

He finds Marcia still in hysterics, and his mother half bewildered. "It
is so horribly sudden!" she cries. "Poor Marcia! she did really love
him!"

Let her keep her faith in him if she can. Her short wedded life has
been the froth and sparkle on the beaded cup, never reaching the dregs.
This man has hated him because he interfered with his plans and
unearthed his selfish purposes, but _he_, Grandon, has no desire for
revenge. Let him wrap himself in the garment of dead honor, his shall
not be the hand to tear it asunder.

He takes the tidings back to the factory with him. They look over
Wilmarth's desk. There are no private papers, but they find two notices
that the insurance policy has expired. For almost a week the place has
been uninsured.

"Well," he comments, with a grim smile, "we shall at least escape an
inquisitorial examination. Jasper Wilmarth planned better for us than
he knew. But this must be renewed to-day, and the damage repaired as
speedily as possible. The transfer will have to wait until after the
funeral. As for the rest, we may as well keep our own counsel."

They all agree with him. The factory will be closed for repairs. That
it was an incendiary fire they must perforce admit, but beyond that
they will make no unnecessary talk. Eugene drives down home and does a
few errands, but the others are busy all day arranging matters for the
future. Before Floyd goes home he visits Marcia, who is still wild with
her grief. The house is full of friends. The library is closed and
watchers are there. Mrs. Grandon will remain.

So it is almost night when Floyd reaches home. Violet and Pauline know
there was a fire that would have worked complete devastation if Floyd
had not fortunately gone to the factory. E