“Yes.”
“But who put it there, Luke; who put it there?”
“Mrs. Pelham, that is the question which in my opinion the law must decide. One thing at least is clear—the man who gave the boy his first and last dose out of that bottle was Richard Pelham.”
“No,” said the widow. She clasped her hands before her face. “Impossible!” she cried. “You cannot mean it. Dick! Dick give poison to my boy! No, no!”
“It is true,” said Tarbot. “You must nerve yourself to meet the truth. The boy has to be avenged. I can stand the secret no longer—I had to tell you. Sir Richard Pelham gave him the dose.”
CHAPTER XXIX.
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
After an hour of earnest whispered conversation Mrs. Pelham rose.
“I cannot return to the Towers,” she said.
“Why not? Your absence will look strange.”
“I cannot help it. It is impossible for me to face either Barbara or Dick. I shall go to London with you.”