ON THE BRINK OF A CHASM A RECORD OF PLOT AND PASSION BY L. T. MEADE Author of “The Medicine Lady,” “A Soldier of Fortune,” Etc. NEW YORK F. M. BUCKLES & COMPANY 9 AND 11 EAST 16TH STREET LONDON CHATTO & WINDUS 1899 Copyright 1899 by F. M. BUCKLES & COMPANY _On the Brink of a Chasm_ CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. Undone 7 II. A Man’s Revenge 17 III. “The King can do no Wrong” 28 IV. A _Post Obit_ 36 V. “I have Misjudged Him” 48 VI. The Kiss 57 VII. The Cause of Death 68 VIII. The Long Trunk 77 IX. The Dead Restored 88 X. “Diamond cut Diamond” 95 XI. A Telegram 108 XII. A Crafty Old Lady 118 XIII. The Die Cast 129 XIV. Black Mischief 138 XV. Dick’s Secret 150 XVI. The Wrong Medicine 157 XVII. Mrs. Pelham 170 XVIII. “Tarbot Will tell Me” 184 XIX. “‘Scoundrel!’ He Said” 190 XX. The Price of His Sin 197 XXI. “Honor Bright” 210 XXII. “Your Eyes are Big and Bright” 220 XXIII. With the Doctors 230 XXIV. The Little Woman in Black 236 XXV. “There’s a Cruel Sin Somewhere” 250 XXVI. Not in the Bargain 258 XXVII. A Black Crime 269 XXVIII. The “Pelham Arms” 276 XXIX. Circumstantial Evidence 289 XXX. The Bolt 297 XXXI. Gone 309 XXXII. Barbara hears Startling News 319 XXXIII. A Moment of Triumph 329 XXXIV. The Last Straw 343 XXXV. Ace of Trumps 350 XXXVI. Sir Piers 358 ON THE BRINK OF A CHASM.