"I shall," said Nelson, quietly but firmly.
The matter was talked over, and our hero determined to call again upon Gertrude, whom he had just left at Mrs. Kennedy's rooms.
When told of the message her uncle had sent the poor girl burst into tears of joy.
"Dear Uncle Mark! He is not as bad as I thought!" she cried. "He would be as kind as ever, if he wasn't so sick. Yes, I will go at once, and I will tell him all."
"And I'll go along—to prove your story and to tell him about the books on poisons," said Nelson.
Soon the pair were on their way to the mansion on Fifth Avenue. Gertrude was all in a tremble, and could scarcely contain herself for joy. The housekeeper let her in, with a smile.
"I am glad to see you back," she said warmly. "I hope you'll stay, Miss Gertrude."
"How is my uncle?"
"Very feeble. I hope the shock doesn't hurt him."
"Is that Gertrude?" came in Mark Horton's voice from the head of the stairs.