“Let me add, for myself, that, if you cross the boundary line between Pine Hill and the public highway, I will take the liberty to kick you off the premises.” “I did not expect this from you, Mr. Birch.” “I have been so criminally indulgent towards you and your crimes that you had no right to expect it, I confess.” “I may be called to Pine Hill as a physician.” “You will never be called there again as a physician. They would all die before they would see you.” “Does Julia know of this?” “She does.” “And Mrs. Hungerford?” “And Mrs. Hungerford.” “Is it possible they can treat me with so much harshness and injustice?” “They fully concur with Mr. Hungerford and myself. Not one of them would walk on the same side of the street with you.” “I am human, and I will not attempt to conceal my grief and astonishment at the conduct of the Hungerfords.” “Do you expect them to pet you again, as they did before?” “When they were sick, even unto death’s door, I dared not sleep. I watched with Mrs. Hungerford as though she had been my own mother; with Julia, as though she had been my own sister. I was permitted to be of service to them. I labored night and day for them, as I would have done for my own salvation.” “If you had labored half as hard for your own salvation as you did for them, you might have been worthy to stand in their presence now. Dr. Lynch, it was like breaking the heart-strings of Mrs. Hungerford and Julia to convict you of the intention to commit such an abominable crime as that you meditated. They were grateful to you for what you have done: they are so still; and they will remember your good deeds, and grieve that the evil in your nature overshadowed the good. The blow is as heavy to them as to you; but they cannot, and will not, tolerate the presence of a murderer.” “A murderer, Mr. Birch!” “I call things by their right names, Dr. Lynch.” “I can understand your motives,” added the culprit, bitterly. “I have been a stumbling-block in your path, Mr. Birch, and you adopt this method of prejudicing Miss Hungerford against me.” “I have nothing to say, doctor,” added Dick, with dignity. “I am banished from Pine Hill; but I shall defend myself before the people, and explain why I am thus treated. This miserable charge which you have trumped up shall be understood by the community.” “Am I to infer that you threaten me and others?” “If there is such a charge as you say, why don’t you take it to a court of justice?” “I have nothing more to say about it. I think I have been sufficiently explicit.” “But of course you intend to prosecute the matter legally.” “I shall give no answer. I have discharged my whole duty to you and to the Hungerfords.” Dick put on his hat, and left the office, without even the ceremony of bidding the doctor good night. “One half million is gone, but the other is safe,” muttered the doctor, as he rose from his chair half an hour later. “No matter; they can prove nothing.” CHAPTER XXXIII.