"But—but——"
"I am having the wine which you gave me examined. If I find that it was doctored—well, you had better be missing, that's all," added Mark Horton sternly. "I am willing to do much to avoid a family scandal, but I will not stand too much."
"Who—who has the wine?"
"The doctor."
At this piece of information Homer Bulson leaped to his feet.
"It's an outrage! I won't stand it!" he shouted. "You are all plotting against me!" And so speaking, he ran to the hall, picked up his silk hat, and hastily rushed from the mansion.
"Shall I go after him?" questioned our hero.
"No; let him go," returned the retired merchant.
"But he will never come back—you may be certain of that."
"So much the better, for then all scandal will be avoided, and we will be very well rid of him."