“O, no, Dick. That is too horrible!” “The globules were belladonna yesterday; to-day they are strychnia. Who takes the medicine from the bottle on the table? No one but myself. Did I intend to commit suicide?” “It is diabolical, Dick.” “Who wanted the bottle? Who wanted to analyze the globules? Who was pale and trembling? Who protested so violently, and even rudely, against Julia’s taking the innocent pellets?” “You mean that Dr. Lynch intended----” “Intended to poison me!” added Dick, when his friend paused, unable to give breath to the horrible thought. “That is precisely what he intended to do.” “He saved Julia.” “Thank God, he did!” said Dick, fervently. “He did not mean to poison her.” “Why should he wish to poison you?” “I am in his way. Why did he involve me in falsehood,--perjury?” “I thought he had repented.” “So did I. I would have trusted him with all I hold dear on earth an hour ago. Hungerford, on the day that Captain Kingman died, the doctor surprised Julia and myself in the garden. He was not pleased with the discovery he had made.” “But his manner towards you has not changed.” “No, it has not. We are certainly rivals, but I have scorned to seek any advantage over him. I have left the matter entirely in the hands of Julia. I was willing she should decide between us.” “Has she decided?” “No; but, Hungerford, I think I have been gaining, while the doctor has been losing. But never mind these things. Let us look at the naked facts.” “Are you sure that Dr. Lynch put the poison into the bottle?” “Who else could have done it?” “I don’t know; but before we accuse a man of a crime of this magnitude, we must be sure.” “We need not accuse him. We may not be able to prove it, though we shall be satisfied of the fact. Nobody has been poisoned. He prevented Julia from taking the medicine. If he had not done so,--if she had taken the globules and died,--I should have been accused of a great crime, or criminal carelessness. We can prove nothing.” “Not yet.” Eugene pulled the bell, and Parkinson answered the summons. The man was questioned in regard to the doctor’s movements, after he was admitted to the house. He had gone into the library; that was all Parkinson knew. Eugene sent for the ladies. “What are you going to do, Hungerford?” asked Dick. “I am going to expose the villain.” “Is that advisable?” “The wretch shall never cross my threshold again!” replied Eugene, with emphasis. “It would hardly be wise to make this matter public.” “Why not?” “We have not sufficient evidence to convict him.” “Perhaps not; but if there is, he shall be punished. He that would poison one man for his own interest, would poison another. We have a public duty to perform. We must protect the community from such a man.”