Startled, but not daring to disobey, she went down to Cecil, who hurriedly imparted his bad news.
“Doctor Perry has already told us, and I am very sorry for Amber, but I cannot leave Judge Camden,” she replied.
“Is he so very ill, then?” asked Cecil, and she answered:
“We fear that he will die. I will tell you a terrible secret, known only to the doctor and myself. Judge Camden is suffering from arsenical poisoning. He drank half a glass of wine given him by Amber, and was soon seized with terrible cramps, and rang his bell. I answered it, and finding him suffering so much with his stomach, administered a mustard emetic, then sent for the doctor. When he came he suspected arsenic from the symptoms, and found in the half-glass of wine that remained a quantity of the terrible drug. We cannot imagine how it happened. Amber must have made a terrible mistake. Fortunately, the judge did not get the full dose, or he would be dead ere now. Doctor Perry declares that the mustard emetic saved him, but he is very weak, and may die of exhaustion. In fact, he believes himself dying, and has asked to have you sent up to him—I suppose to ask your forgiveness for all his enmity toward you.”
Cecil could not refuse the plea of a dying man. He followed Mrs. Shirley to the judge’s room.
The weak eyes rested, with a gratified look, on Cecil, and the old man said, feebly:
“Doctor Perry, you may leave us alone for a few minutes, please.”
The physician retired, thinking that the young lawyer had been summoned to draw up the judge’s will, and Mrs. Shirley and Cecil stood waiting by the bedside.
“I sent Amber to bring you here, Mr. Grant,” quavered the old man’s feeble voice. “I suppose she told you all about Violet, and the mission I wanted you to undertake?”
“You surprise me, Judge Camden! I have received no message from you on the subject.”