"No; she merely knows that I received a letter from New York."
"And you are really liable to die suddenly?"
"Yes; I shall probably drop dead some day. My father died at my present age. Any sudden excitement——"
"Good heavens! what is the matter with you?" exclaimed Walton, springing to his feet, excitedly.
"What do you mean?" asked the physician, startled.
"Your face is livid; you look like a corpse. Great heavens! has your time come?"
Doctor Baker rose to his feet in terrible agitation; his face changed; he put his hand on his heart, swayed himself for a moment, and then fell lifeless.
Walton had supplied the sudden excitement, and brought upon him the family doom.
Nicholas Walton, half-terrified, half-triumphant, gazed at his victim. He knelt down, and tearing open the vest of his visitor, placed his hand upon his heart.