"I'll go at once," said the lawyer, while Alice clasped her hands.
But Payne stopped him. "No. I want the man to have a short sleep first," he said, "and I am returning to watch beside him. I will ring the bell when he is better and able to speak."
It was late that night or rather early next morning before the household retired. Miss Berengaria, thinking the servants had better know as little as possible, sent them to bed, retaining only Maria to wait on her personally. Then Conniston returned, and the five sat in the drawing-room talking. About two in the morning the bell in the turret chamber was heard to ring. Durham, with writing materials, hastened up at once. Alice wanted to go, but Miss Berengaria made her stop. Then she sent Conniston to the Hall to tell any servant who was waiting up that Miss Randolph would remain that night at the Bower. "And when you return, you can sleep also," she said.
Durham found Michael better but weak. He was lying back on his pillows in an almost exhausted condition, and Payne was feeling his pulse. "I wanted him to wait till the dawn," said the doctor, "but he insists on speaking."
"I might die," said Michael, his eyes large and bright and his voice hoarse. "I want my revenge on this man who tried to poison me."
"Are you sure Beryl——"
"I am quite sure. Jerry brought up the tea, and arsenic was in it. I know Beryl wanted to get all the estate to himself. Tell me"—Michael looked anxiously towards Durham—"is Gore alive?"
"Yes. Miss Malleson and Miss Plantagenet knew you were Michael Gilroy as soon as you came."
"And they fooled me."
"They did," admitted Durham, promptly, "and I did also. I allowed you to make that false will, so as to trap Beryl."