“You're a good, kind gentleman,” she smirked, cheered at the idea of unlimited gin. “And when my boy Sid do come home a corpse, I hope you'll come to the funeral, sir.” “What a raven!” said Lucy, as Widow Anne toddled away in the direction of the one public-house in Gartley village. “I don't wonder that the late Mr. Bolton laid her out with a flat-iron. To slay such a woman would be meritorious.” “I wonder how she came to be the mother of Sidney,” said Miss Kendal reflectively, as they resumed their walk, “he's such a clever, smart, and handsome young man.” “I think Bolton owes everything to the Professor's teaching and example, Lucy,” replied her lover. “He was an uncouth lad, I understand, when your step-father took him into the house six years ago. Now he is quite presentable. I shouldn't wonder if he married Mrs. Jasher.” “H'm! I rather think Mrs. Jasher admires the Professor.” “Oh, he'll never marry her. If she were a mummy there might be a chance, of course, but as a human being the Professor will never look at her.” “I don't know so much about that, Archie. Mrs. Jasher is attractive.” Hope laughed. “In a mutton-dressed-as-lamb way, no doubt.” “And she has money. My father is poor and so--” “You make up a match at once, as every woman will do. Well, let us get back to the Pyramids, and see how the flirtation is progressing.” Lucy walked on for a few steps in silence. “Do you believe in Mrs. Bolton's dream, Archie?” “No! I believe she eats heavy suppers. Bolton will return quite safe; he is a clever fellow, not easily taken advantage of. Don't bother any more about Widow Anne and her dismal prophecies.” “I'll try not to,” replied Lucy dutifully. “All the same, I wish she had not told me her dream,” and she shivered. CHAPTER II. PROFESSOR BRADDOCK There was only one really palatial mansion in Gartley, and that was the ancient Georgian house known as the Pyramids. Lucy's step-father had given the place this eccentric name on taking up his abode there some ten years previously. Before that time the dwelling had been occupied by the Lord of the Manor and his family. But now the old squire was dead, and his impecunious children were scattered to the four quarters of the globe in search of money with which to rebuild their ruined fortunes. As the village was somewhat isolated and rather unhealthily situated in a marshy country, the huge, roomy old Grange had not been easy to let, and had proved quite impossible to sell. Under these disastrous circumstances, Professor Braddock--who described himself humorously as a scientific pauper--had obtained the tenancy at a ridiculously low rental, much to his satisfaction.