"Ah!" replied Jen, in a meaning tone. "Tell me that and I'll have the assassin of our dear Maurice within the walls of Deanminster jail before the year is twenty-four hours older."
David looked at Jen in astonishment.
"Have you any idea as to the guilty person?" he asked, in a hurried tone.
"I think so; it is my belief, David, that Dr. Etwald killed Maurice!"
"Impossible! For what reason?"
"Because he wants to marry Isabella Dallas."
"In that case he should rather have killed me than poor Maurice, for, as my suit to Isabella was supported by Mrs. Dallas, I was the more formidable rival of the two."
"I don't think so, my boy. Isabella loved Maurice, and to marry him she would have rebelled against her mother. But I daresay if you become engaged to her, Etwald will remove you also from his path."
"There will be no need for him to do that," replied David, coldly. "I shall never marry Isabella."
"What do you say? I thought you loved the girl?"