Detective and mystery stories; Stone, Fleming (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
"Yes, dear, yes; rest quietly, no harm shall come to you. The shock has
completely upset you. You've borne up so bravely, and now the reaction
has come and you're feverish and ill. Take this, my child, and try to
rest quietly."
Iris took the soothing draught, and fell, for a few moments, into a
troubled slumber. But almost immediately she roused herself and sat bolt
upright.
"I didn't kill her!" she said, her large dark eyes burning into Miss
Darrel's own.
"No, no, dear, you didn't kill her. Never mind that now. We'll find it
all out in good time."
"I don't want it found out! It must not be found out! Won't you take
away that detective man? He knows too much--oh, yes, he knows too much!"
"Hush, dear, please don't make any disturbance now. They're taking your
aunt away."
"Are they?" and suddenly Iris calmed herself, and stood up, quite still
and composed. "Let me see," she said; "no, I don't want to go down. I
want to look out of the windows."
Kneeling at the front window of Miss Darrel's room, in utter silence,
Iris watched the bearers take the casket out of the door.
"Poor Aunt Ursula," she whispered softly, "I _did_ love you. I'm sorry I
didn't show it more. I wish I had been less impatient. But I will avenge
your death. I didn't think I could, but I must--I know I _must_, and I
will do it. I promise you, Aunt Ursula--I vow it!"
"Who killed her?" Miss Darrel spoke softly, and in an awed tone.
"I can't tell you. But I--_I_ am the avenger!"
It was an hour or more later when the group gathered in the living room,
listened to the reading of Ursula Pell's last will and testament.
Mr. Bowen's round face was solemn and sad. Mrs. Bowen was pale with
weeping.
Miss Darrel kept a watchful eye on Iris, but the girl was quite her
normal self. Winston Bannard was composed and somewhat stern looking,
and the servants huddled in the doorway waiting their word.
As might have been expected from the eccentric old lady, the will was
long and couched in a mass of unnecessary verbiage. But it was duly
drawn and witnessed and its decrees were altogether valid.
As was anticipated, the house and estate of Pellbrook were bequeathed to
Miss Lucille Darrel.
The positive nod of that lady's head expressed her satisfaction, and Mr.
Chapin proceeded.
Followed a few legacies of money or valuables to several more distant
relatives and friends, and then came the list of servants.
A beautiful set of cameos was given to Agnes; a collection of rare coins
to the Purdys; and a wonderful gold watch with a jeweled fob to
Campbell.
A clause of the will directed that, "if any of the legatees prefer cash
to sentiment, they are entirely at liberty to sell their gifts, and it
is recommended that Mr. Browne will make for them the most desirable
agent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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