"And now you know, and I'll tell you," she said, hardly above her breath. "Yes, Percy, some day when we have made poor Myra happy." "Then it will never be," he said despairingly. "Let me judge," she whispered. And he told her all. "But--but I don't quite understand," she faltered; "you think, then--oh, it is too horrible--you think, then, he had killed poor Mr Brettison, his friend?" "Yes," said Guest slowly and thoughtfully. "It must have been that. I cannot see a doubt." "Ah!" They started to their feet at the piteous sigh which came from the back drawing room, and it was followed by a heavy fall. Myra had entered in time enough to hear the terrible charge, and for her life seemed to be at an end. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Meanwhile Stratton had stood motionless, gazing down into the dark pit formed by the staircase, with the light of the lamp he held shining full on his haggard face, made more painful by the smile which contracted the lower parts of his countenance, till the last echo of his friend's steps died out, when he turned slowly and walked into his room, closing and fastening both doors. Then his whole manner changed. He rushed to the table, set down the lamp so that the glass shade rattled and nearly flew out of the holder; then, crossing quickly to a cabinet, he took out a decanter and glass, poured out a heavy draught of brandy, and gulped it down. The glass almost dropped from his hand to the table, and he clasped his brow, to stand staring before him fighting to recall his thoughts. Twice over he threw his head back, and shook it as if something compressed his brain and confused him. Then the stimulant he had taken began to act, and he went to a drawer and took out a new screw-driver, with which, after seeing that the blinds were down and the curtains drawn over the window, he crossed to the door on the left of the fireplace; but only to turn away again, and take up the lamp and place it on a stand, so that it should light him in the work he had in hand. He was alert and eager now, as, with deft touches, he forced the screw-driver under a piece of moulding at the top and front edge of the door, wrenched them off, and bared some half dozen screw-heads. These he rapidly turned and withdrew, laying them down one by one till all were out, when, from an inner pocket, he took out a key, unlocked the door, threw it open, and went into the bathroom, lamp in hand. Placing it on the polished lid, he rapidly toiled on till these screws were taken out in turn, when, lifting the lamp with his left hand, he threw up the lid with his right, and stood staring down into the bath with a shudder, which rapidly passed away.