"I--I never deceived you, aunt."
"You have deceived me from start to finish, Frederic. At first you neglected my business and caused me several heavy losses. Then, when I engaged Robert to take your place, you tried to get him into trouble over my jewelry. After that you hired that Dr. Remington to aid you in placing me in an insane asylum, and your plot might have proved a success had I not left America. After that, running short of money, you forged my name to a check for six hundred dollars. And now you have finished up by trying to kill both Robert and me. Frederic, I am done with you, and I never want you to come near me again."
As Mrs. Vernon concluded the tears started down her cheeks, and she turned away to hide her emotions. Utterly dumfounded, Frederic Vernon sank in an easy chair the picture of despair. He realized that complete exposure had come at last, and he wondered what his rich relative would do with him.
CHAPTER XXIII.
AUNT AND NEPHEW'S AGREEMENT.
"Aunt, you don't mean it!" gasped Frederic Vernon, when he felt able to speak.
"I do mean it, Frederic, and it will be useless for you to argue the question," replied the lady, firmly.
"But this is a--a--all a mistake," he faltered.
"There is no mistake. And as I just said, I will not argue the question."
"You--you cast me out?"