"Next day, as you know, I came down and played my part in the comedy, Miss Baird. I saw the mark of the Purple Fern, and Ferdinand here told me how he had stamped the dead body. I gave him back my cheque, and so acted honourably. So that is all, unless," added Jerce, with hesitation, "my love for you--my true and genuine love----" "Oh, no, no," cried Clarice, with horror, and ran across to Anthony; "have you got it written down? Then let that wretch sign it, and send him out of the house." "But the police ought to be told," said Ackworth, in a low voice. "I say no," cried Clarice, stamping her foot. "I will tell you why at a later period. Sign, Sir Daniel, sign, and rid this house of your wicked presence." Jerce looked at her gravely, then deliberately signed the paper on the spot pointed out by Ackworth. Anthony and Clarke signed as witnesses, and then the soldier handed the paper to Clarice, who thrust it into her bosom. This having been done, she went to the window and opened it. "Go!" she said to Sir Daniel. "Surely, you will let me get my coat and hat," he said, quietly, and, with a last look at her, he went into the hall. Shortly he appeared at the door again. "Good-bye for ever," he said, in an unemotional voice. "I'll go this way--by the front door. And to-morrow you shall hear of my death." "Unhappy man!" cried Clarke. "Do not add sin to sin----" But Jerce was gone. He went out of the house, and into the gathering darkness of the night--but not to the merciful death he designed for himself. As he passed through the gate, Jane limped after him quietly, not barking as was her custom. She seemed to know that her time had come. And so Jerce, all unknowingly, went to his doom. CHAPTER XXVI NEMESIS Hardly had Sir Daniel Jerce disappeared, when Clarice dropped like a log to the ground. The strain had been too much for her, and for the second time in her life she fainted. Anthony hastily summoned Mrs. Rebson, and the poor girl was taken up to her room. Then Captain Ackworth left the house. Business must go on, in spite of all untoward events, and he was forced to return to Gattlinsands and to his duties. But before leaving he told Mrs. Rebson that he would come over the next day, and then addressed himself to Ferdy. "You had better remain in the house," he said, coldly, "as it will be necessary for Clarice and myself to arrange to-morrow about your future. You have escaped a great danger, and everything must be made safe, for your sister's sake." "I can arrange my own future, thank you," said Ferdy, haughtily. "You will do exactly what you are told," said Ackworth, stern and unbending, "or else I shall inform the police." "You would not dare--for Clarice's sake." "For her sake I would dare. You have made her life miserable for years, and I won't permit you to spoil it any longer. Also I wish to avoid a public scandal. If Osip holds his tongue this may be done. But my forbearance depends entirely upon your obeying orders."