“Oh, I am bad, my heart aches, and my body aches, and there’s no rest for me on earth. Come, mother, put on your bonnet. I told the cab to wait, and we must leave here to-night. We must find the child.” “They say,” cried Mrs. Ives, “that a doctor is coming down from London to-morrow morning. They’re going to open the vault, and they are going to take out the coffin.” “Let them. It doesn’t matter. Richard Pelham will be saved. The beautiful young lady will have a life of happiness. I go under forever, but what does that matter? Come, mother, come at once.” CHAPTER XXXV. ACE OF TRUMPS. As soon as Clara left him, Tarbot put on his hat and went to see the solicitor for the prosecution. The latter had made an appointment to see Tarbot between three and four o’clock. He had a long interview with the doctor, in which details with regard to Pelham’s trial were most carefully gone into. Tarbot told what he had to tell in a quiet voice, his face calm and stern-looking. Now and then to a close observer there might have been seen what looked almost like a sorrowful expression stealing round the lips. When Tarbot had given all his information Mr. Cornish spoke. “By the way, this is an unpleasant business for you,” he said. “That part about the _post obit_ will not sound too well. You got him to sign that, remember.” “I did it simply because I had no other security for my money. As matters have turned out I know well that this part of the affair will not redound to my credit. But, after all, what was I to do? I could not hold back because of that. I was the child’s guardian, remember, and Mrs. Pelham was my great friend.” “A case of conscience. I quite understand,” said Cornish. “Well, it is all sad and terrible. The case will go, without the slightest doubt, against the prisoner.” “You think so?” said Tarbot eagerly. In spite of all his efforts his eyes danced now with malignity. “I am certain of it,” said Cornish, glancing up at him in some surprise. “The man will hang for the crime. The jury will convict him, and there won’t be a loophole for the commutation of the sentence. I am sorry for the young wife.” “Yes, she is the one to be pitied,” said Tarbot. “If any further particulars come to light you will acquaint me?” said Cornish. “Yes,” replied Tarbot, rising as he spoke. “By the way, have you given orders for the exhumation of the body?” “Yes, the doctor for the Crown goes down to Great Pelham to-night with his assistant and the usual officers from Scotland Yard. You clearly understand that Pelham is only remanded for the present—he cannot be committed for trial until the body has been exhumed, and it is clearly proved that the child swallowed the poison.” “Yes, yes, I see. Well, you are losing no time.”