"Was any instrument found?"
"Yes, sir: a clasp-knife, with a small, sharp blade. It was found on the floor of my lady's room."
An ominous silence ensued.
"Are the stabs dangerous?" inquired Mr. Ravensworth.
"It is thought they are only slight, sir. The danger will be if they bring back the fever. His lordship will not have a doctor called in——"
"Not have a doctor called in!"
"He forbids it absolutely, sir. When we reached his room, in answer to my lady's cries, he had fainted; but he soon recovered, and hearing Mrs. Edwards speak of the doctor, he refused to have him sent for."
"You ought to have sent, all the same," imperiously spoke Mr. Ravensworth.
Sanders smiled. "Ah, sir, but my lord's will is law."
Mr. Ravensworth turned to a side-table. He wrote a rapid word to Lady Level, promising to be with her that evening, gave it to Sanders, and bade him make the best of his way back to Marshdale. Certain business of importance was detaining him in town for the day.