“Mrs. Pelham, that is the question which in my opinion the law must decide. One thing at least is clear—the man who gave the boy his first and last dose out of that bottle was Richard Pelham.” “No,” said the widow. She clasped her hands before her face. “Impossible!” she cried. “You cannot mean it. Dick! Dick give poison to my boy! No, no!” “It is true,” said Tarbot. “You must nerve yourself to meet the truth. The boy has to be avenged. I can stand the secret no longer—I had to tell you. Sir Richard Pelham gave him the dose.” CHAPTER XXIX. CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. After an hour of earnest whispered conversation Mrs. Pelham rose. “I cannot return to the Towers,” she said. “Why not? Your absence will look strange.” “I cannot help it. It is impossible for me to face either Barbara or Dick. I shall go to London with you.” Tarbot considered for a moment. It had not occurred to him that Mrs. Pelham would do this, but after a little thought he considered it a wise step. “Very well,” he said. “I am not greatly surprised; but what about your things?” “I will send a note to my maid. She will pack them and follow me this evening. I will go to town with you, Dr. Tarbot. When does the next train start?” Tarbot sent for a time-table. The next train would leave Haversham within an hour. “You must have some lunch before you start, and then we will drive over to the station,” he said. Mrs. Pelham bowed her head in acquiescence. Her face looked gray and her eyes strained, and there was a tense expression about her lips as though she were keeping her self-control with a mighty effort. When the lunch was brought in she managed to eat a little, schooling herself to do so. Then a trap was found, and the pair drove to the station. Mrs. Pelham had written a brief note to Barbara and also one to her maid. In Barbara’s letter she had simply said— “Unexpected news obliges me to hurry to town. Will write more fully on my arrival.” When they got to the station Tarbot took a first class ticket for himself and another for Mrs. Pelham. He tipped the guard to reserve the carriage, and they traveled up to London alone. Just as they neared the metropolis Mrs. Pelham bent forward and touched Tarbot’s hand with her fingers. “I have made up my mind,” she said. “I will avenge the death.” “I am glad of it,” said Tarbot. “I thought you would feel so and act so. I knew there was no other course open to you.”