He learned that they were all residents of New York City, except Mr. Tracy, who had lived in Philadelphia, but was contemplating a move to New York. "I have had a call to a pastorate there," Tracy stated, "and it seems advisable to me to accept it." "Mr. Bruce lived in Chicago, did he not?" went on Crawford, "and Miss Reid, also?" "Yes," said Landon, "but Miss Reid had been at school in Connecticut for the last three years. She was graduated in June, and her uncle and guardian, Mr. Bruce, came East for the occasion. They concluded to spend the summer with us, intending to return to Chicago next month." "Mr. Bruce was a wealthy man?" inquired the questioner. "Yes;" answered Landon, "not a financial magnate, but worth at least two million dollars." "And who are his heirs?" The question fell like a bombshell. It had not been thought of, or at least not spoken of, by any of the party. The bareness of it, the implication of it, gave a shock, as of a sudden accusation. "I hadn't thought of that," Wynne Landon said, slowly. "But you know?" queried Crawford. "Of course I know. Unless Gifford Bruce left a contradictory will, his estate must revert to Rudolph Braye, the son of Mr. Bruce's half-brother----" "Why, Wynne," interrupted Milly, "you're a cousin." "I am," and Landon flushed unaccountably, "but I'm a second cousin. Braye would inherit, unless a will made other proviso." "Where is Mr. Braye?" "He went to New York last evening and has not yet returned." "You expect him soon?" "This afternoon, probably. Of course, he has realized that he is the heir of a great fortune, but naturally he would not discuss it last evening, when we were all so alarmed and excited over the awfulness of the situation." "Was Mr. Braye present at the time of the--tragedy?" "No;" Landon stopped to think. "He wasn't. Where was he?" "He was with me," said Milly. "We went in his car to East Dryden. We went to the markets and did some other shopping at the stores." "And when you returned it was--all over?" Doctor Crawford looked gravely at her. "Yes," said Milly, "we were both away, and oh, I am so glad! I couldn't have stood it!" She broke down and sobbed in her husband's arms, but Crawford went on asking questions. "The autopsy will show," he said, "but I will ask if any of you can show cause to suspect that a poison of any sort could have been administered to the victims of this disaster." "Not possibly," said Professor Hardwick. "We were at tea, and had all been served from the same teapot and from the same plates of cakes. I can affirm this, for I've thought over every moment of the occasion. Mr. Bruce had taken part of his tea, and had eaten part of his cake,----" "Are you sure of this?" the coroner interrupted.