“You could not, it would wither you up, so awful would be its quality; you would die or go mad.” “I could not bear it,” said Nancy, again shuddering as she spoke. “Then take my blessing instead, do my work, take up the burden bravely.” “But is there any chance of my succeeding?” she answered, a note of wavering coming into her voice. “If you have failed to find Anthony’s murderer, how is it possible for me to succeed? All your savings have gone to detectives. All the money you earned when you were rich and famous has vanished. We have stinted ourselves and starved ourselves, and brooded over this awful thing until we have scarcely been like human beings. Can you not leave revenge to Heaven? Why should you ruin my young life?” “Because I will have revenge,” said the dying man, “because I lived for it and will die for it. Swear, child—your idle words are only like pin pricks to me. Swear to carry on my life’s purpose or I curse you.” Nancy groaned and covered her white face. “I won’t be denied,” said Dr. Follett, catching hold of her arm and trying to pull one of her hands away. “What have I done to be punished in this awful way?” said the girl. “Swear,” repeated the doctor. “I won’t swear,” she said suddenly. She flung down her hands; her face looked calm and resolved. “There, have your way,” she said; “I yield, I submit. I will do what you wish.” “Swear it, swear by the heaven above and the hell beneath.” “I won’t do that, father. I give you my word. I can do no more. I will devote my life to this accursed search. I have never broken my word. Are you satisfied?” “Yes, I am satisfied; you never told me a lie yet.” He lay back panting against his pillows. He spoke huskily and weakly now that he had won his point. “I am quite satisfied,” he said again. “You are young and you will have time to do the work. Remember that Detective Crossley has got what few clues we were able to collect. It will be necessary for you to go on employing him. There is still a thousand pounds to my credit in the London City Bank. A thousand pounds will go a long way, and you must give Crossley what money he requires. As to your own expenses, you will of course leave the Grange, but you can live very cheaply in some inexpensive country place. I have trained you to want scarcely anything. You must keep Crossley up to the mark. Crossley must search and keep on searching; he must follow up the faintest clue; the money is there, and a thousand pounds with your aid ought to do the work. Don’t forget that the man is an Englishman and that there is an ugly scar on his lip. I feel convinced that you will carry my work to a successful issue, and that your brother’s blood will be avenged. Don’t turn your young attention to the lighter things of existence; don’t marry until you have fulfilled your sacred mission.” “But if I find the murderer, father,” interrupted Nancy, “if I am successful, what am I to do?” The old doctor gave a grim smile.