"I thought as much! The fool! There was a thousand pounds there for her! I didn't want to drive her to despair: a dying man must mind what he is about. Ring the bell and see what Mewks has to say to it."
Mewks came, in evident anxiety.
I will not record his examination. Mr. Brett took it for granted he had deliberately and intentionally shut out Mary, and Mewks did not attempt to deny it, protesting he believed she was boring his master. The grin on that master's face at hearing this was not very pleasant to behold. When examined as to the missing paper, he swore by all that was holy he knew nothing about it.
Mr. Brett next requested the presence of Miss Yolland. She was nowhere to be found. The place was searched throughout, but there was no trace of her.
When the doctor arrived, the bottle Joseph had taken from her was examined, and its contents discovered.
Lady Malice was grievously hurt at the examination she found had been going on.
"Have I not nursed you like my own brother, Mr. Redmain?" she said.
"You may be glad you have escaped a coroner's inquest in your house, Lady Margaret!" said Mr. Brett.
"For me," said Mr. Redmain, "I have not many days left me, but somehow a fellow does like to have his own!"
Hesper sought Mary, and kissed her with some appearance of gratitude. She saw what a horrible suspicion, perhaps even accusation, she had saved her from. The behavior and disappearance of Sepia seemed to give her little trouble.