After the funeral Herrick made several attempts to discover something about the letter delivered to Mrs. Marsh on the day of her death, although he was careful not to hint that it had any connection with her sudden end. But although he questioned the postman and the postal authorities, he could gain very little satisfaction. It was a plain envelope stamped--so far as could be remembered--with the London post-mark. "Humph!" said Dr. Jim to himself when he acquired this information. "Frisco is in London. I wonder if he wrote that letter?"
However it was little use conjecturing. Mrs. Marsh was dead and had taken her secret and the secret of Colonel Carr along with her into the next world. Herrick put the idea out of his head, as he had much to do in considering his future position. Three or four days after the funeral he was alone with Stephen in the Beorminster house, and there spoke to the young man about his movements.
"I must return to London Marsh," he said. "I can do no more good here; and I must attend to my practice."
"No," replied Stephen quickly, "you must not leave me like this Herrick. I have grown used to you as a companion. I like you more than any man I ever met, and without you I should be lost. You must stay with me. Is your practice a large one?"
"On the contrary it is very small. I have been established in West Kensington only for two years. If I had not a small income of my own I should starve."
"Well you must come to me. I hope you will Herrick. I am rich, and I can allow you a good income--say a thousand a year."
"That is generous of you Marsh. Did your mother speak of this to you?"
"No! she did not. Why do you ask?"
"Because she wanted me to stay with you, and proposed the same amount."
"I am glad," cried Stephen his face lighting up. "I can do this much at least for her memory. So she wished you to remain with me? You will of course. I cannot do without you."