“They didn’t bring him here—thank God—but took him to an undertaker’s in the village. If he has any relatives that you could wire—” “None that I know of—they wouldn’t be in America anyway,” said Gloria, quite calmly, though her face was pale. “Then Terry said he’d arrange things, you know—one place is as good as another. I’m glad you take it so quietly—it’s an awful ending.” “He must have been furious because Pendragon shot the snake,” said Terry. “Still, if the excitement of killing a snake could cure Pen, Miss Mayfield ought to be willing to sacrifice her servant,” said John Peyton-Russell. “It really was remarkable—though I have heard of similar instances—of paralytics leaving their beds during the excitement of a fire, and that sort of thing— I trust there will be no relapse.” Miss Gilchrist’s tone left no doubt in the minds of her hearers that she was prepared for the worst. Indeed, her eyes were constantly fastened on Professor Pendragon as if she expected him to fall down at any minute. “There will be none, thank you,” said Pendragon. Ruth and Terry exchanged glances. Ruth’s eyes asked Terry, “Do you believe me now?” and Terry’s answered, “I don’t know— I don’t understand it at all.” “Of course we’re all very happy over Professor Pendragon’s recovery,” said Gloria in her most conventional voice, “and of course I don’t really feel any loss about George, though I am sorry he died that way.” “It is tragic, but now he’s really gone, Gloria,” said Terry. “I’m awfully glad to be rid of him. He was the most disagreeable servant I ever met, if one can be said to meet servants. I don’t think George ever really accepted me. He used to snub me most horribly and I don’t like being snubbed.” “That reminds me that you haven’t any servant at all, Gloria, so you really must stay here a few days longer. Perhaps I can find some for you—she really can’t go back now, can she, John?” “Really, Angela, that’s unfair; of course I want Miss Mayfield to stay—we planned to have everybody over the New Year. Perhaps Professor Pendragon can persuade her.” “I have had little luck in persuading women to do anything—if Prince Aglipogue had not left us so suddenly he might have been more successful.”