Anthony seemed pleased when the boy left the room, and at once brought out a letter. "I came to see you about this," he said, handing it to the girl; "it came by to-night's post, and I lost no time in bringing it to you. What does it mean?"
Clarice opened the letter, which was written in a delicate hand, and very neatly, on fine thick paper. The few lines ran as follows:--
"If Captain Anthony Ackworth marries Miss Clarice Baird, his future brother-in-law will be placed in the dock, as guilty of the murder of his guardian, Mr. Henry Horran. From a Friend."
[CHAPTER XVII]
THE RECALL OF DR. JERCE
Anthony looked apprehensively at Clarice, as she read the anonymous letter, for he quite expected that she would be greatly agitated, and had been rather afraid of showing it to her, lest the shock of such an accusation brought against Ferdy should be too great. But the girl was perfectly cool, and read the letter twice. After the second reading, she looked at her lover.
"It's a conspiracy," she said, calmly.
Anthony was puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"
"Someone wants to prevent our marriage," she explained; "and so this accusation has been brought against Ferdy."
"I can see that. Of course"--Anthony looked anxiously at her again--"of course, the accusation is ridiculous."