"I regret to state that the matter is to my mind most suspicious," observed the surgeon, with true professional calmness. "This morning the housekeeper informs that young person she must leave your establishment——" "But, according to your own admission, the laudanum was purchased last night," interrupted the rector. "Your humanity in pleading on behalf of that young woman does honour to your heart, Mr. Tracy," said the surgeon; "but was it not likely that she knew _yesterday_ of some circumstance which would induce the housekeeper to give her warning _to-day_? and——" "Oh! my God!" cried the rector, striking his forehead forcibly with the open palm of his right hand. "To a virtuous mind like yours I know that such a suspicion must be abhorrent," said the surgeon. He then whispered a few words to the groom. The groom immediately went out. "Mr. Tracy—sir—you cannot surely entertain a suspicion against me!" cried Katherine, in a tone of the most piercing anguish. "Oh! that poor creature was my benefactress; and I would sooner have died myself than have done her wrong!" "I believe you," exclaimed the rector,—"believe you from the bottom of my heart!" "Thank you, Mr. Tracy," cried the poor girl, falling upon her knees before him, and grasping his hands convulsively in her own. "You are too good—too generous," muttered the surgeon. "Be not deluded by that tragic acting. At all events I must do my duty." "What do you mean?" cried the rector. "You cannot say that suspicion attaches itself to this young girl. I would stake my existence upon her innocence!" he added emphatically. "You know not human nature as I know it," returned the surgeon coolly. At this moment the groom returned, followed by a police-officer. "A person has met with her death in a most mysterious manner," said the surgeon; "and strong suspicions point towards that young female." Then followed one of those heart-rending scenes which defy the powers of the most graphic pen to delineate. Amidst the wildest screams—and with cries of despair which pierced even to the stoic heart of the surgeon, who had acted in a manner which he had deemed merely consistent with his duty, the unhappy girl was led away in the custody of the officer. "My God! who would have thought that it would have come to this?" exclaimed Reginald Tracy, as he precipitated himself from the kitchen. "The surgeon is right," observed Thomas to the groom; "master is too good a man to believe in guilt of so black a nature." CHAPTER CLII. THE DEATH BED. Early on the morning which succeeded the arrest of Katharine Wilmot, Mr. Gregory paid a visit to Markham Place. The moment he entered the room where Richard received him, our hero observed that some deep affliction weighed upon the mind of his friend.