"Impossible!"
"Why?"
Mr. Clarke revolved the matter silently in his mind for a moment, then answered:
"Well, of course, not impossible, but quite improbable."
"Is there not a curtained alcove or anteroom next the library?"
"Yes; but why should the girl have suspected us—why concealed herself there to listen?"
"Heaven only knows, but it is possible that some accident brought her there—perhaps an errand of some kind—maybe to get medicine from me for her aching tooth. She caught a few words that aroused her curiosity, kept silence, and listened, overhearing the truth about herself."
"It must indeed have happened that way!"
"And the shock drove her mad," continued Doctor Jay. "Her resentment flamed against me for knowing so much of her low origin. In her first senseless fury she sought my life."
"It is a terrible situation!" cried his friend, and both were silent for a moment, gazing at the lock of hair as if it had been a writhing serpent; then Clarke continued: