"And to use such an obvious poison," said Miss Berengaria; "it is arsenic that has been administered." "Michael will confess now, though," said Alice. "I do hope he won't die. Mr. Durham, where are you going?" "To the Hurseton telegraph office. The doctor's trap is at the door now. I wish to wire to Scotland Yard, so that Jerry may be caught." "Don't go," implored Alice, "at any time Michael may be able to speak, and I wish you to write down his confession." "I will go," said Conniston, jumping up. "Write down the wire, Durham. The sooner Jerry is tracked the better. We shall catch Julius yet." "I only hope we'll save Michael," muttered Durham, going to Miss Plantagenet's desk. "Come here, Conniston." When the wire was written--and a long one it was--Conniston made free with Payne's trap and drove to Hurseton, where he sent it at once to London. Meantime, those in the drawing-room talked over the matter and waited to hear from the doctor. After an hour he made his appearance. "He is better," he announced; "the mustard and oil made him sick. I think he has got rid of the poison. He wants to see you, Mr. Durham." "I'll go at once," said the lawyer, while Alice clasped her hands. But Payne stopped him. "No. I want the man to have a short sleep first," he said, "and I am returning to watch beside him. I will ring the bell when he is better and able to speak." It was late that night or rather early next morning before the household retired. Miss Berengaria, thinking the servants had better know as little as possible, sent them to bed, retaining only Maria to wait on her personally. Then Conniston returned, and the five sat in the drawing-room talking. About two in the morning the bell in the turret chamber was heard to ring. Durham, with writing materials, hastened up at once. Alice wanted to go, but Miss Berengaria made her stop. Then she sent Conniston to the Hall to tell any servant who was waiting up that Miss Randolph would remain that night at the Bower. "And when you return, you can sleep also," she said. Durham found Michael better but weak. He was lying back on his pillows in an almost exhausted condition, and Payne was feeling his pulse. "I wanted him to wait till the dawn," said the doctor, "but he insists on speaking." "I might die," said Michael, his eyes large and bright and his voice hoarse. "I want my revenge on this man who tried to poison me." "Are you sure Beryl----" "I am quite sure. Jerry brought up the tea, and arsenic was in it. I know Beryl wanted to get all the estate to himself. Tell me"--Michael looked anxiously towards Durham--"is Gore alive?" "Yes. Miss Malleson and Miss Plantagenet knew you were Michael Gilroy as soon as you came." "And they fooled me." "They did," admitted Durham, promptly, "and I did also. I allowed you to make that false will, so as to trap Beryl." "Ah! and he will be trapped and hanged," said the boy, bitterly. "I only hope I'll be alive to see him swing."