At sight of the weapon the woman shrank back among the pillows and seemed terrified and about to go into another fit.
"Calm yourself," uttered the peddler, lowering the weapon. "You have seen that dagger before."
"Yes! oh, yes!"
"Do you mind telling all about it? It may be the means of saving a human life, it certainly will save a young girl from the trap set for her by this man, who administered poison to rid himself of his wife."
"I will tell."
This was sufficient. The doctor administered another dose of cordial, and then, in tremulous tones, the dying wife, even then in the shadow of death, told a strange and startling story.
When she had finished, her face blanched and she sank suddenly away.
"Quick! the cordial!" cried Shanks, but it was too late. When the man lifted her head to administer the medicine the woman hung a dead weight.
"She is dead," said the doctor.
* * * * *