Reginald, it's money as is
at the bottom of it all."

"Money? hush, what was that? I thought I heard something upstairs."

"Only the nurse, sir, as is having her tea. I'm ready to take my oath as
it's money. I've been in service since I was nine years old," said
Betsy, "I've had a deal of experience of gentlefolks, and it's always
money as is the thing as sets them off their head. That's what it is. If
that Cotsdean didn't come here something about money, never you believe
me no more."

"Cotsdean! a poor shopkeeper! what could he have to do with my father's
affairs?" Reginald was not speaking to the woman, but drearily to
himself. If this was the only clue to the mystery, what a poor clue it
was!

"I dunno, sir," said Betsy, "it ain't for me to tell; but one thing I'm
sure of--Lord bless us, what's that?"

Reginald rushed to the door, nearly knocking her down as he pushed her
aside with his hand. When they got outside, it was only the hat-stand in
the hall that had fallen, something having been torn off from it
apparently in mad haste, and the door had opened and shut. Reginald
rushed upstairs, where the nurse was sitting quietly at her tea, the
bed-curtains being drawn.

"All right, sir; he's in a nice sleep," said that functionary; "I didn't
light no candles, not to disturb him, poor gentleman."

Reginald tore the curtains aside, then turned and dashed downstairs, and
out into the windy twilight. In that moment of stillness and darkness
the patient had escaped. He could see a strange figure walking rapidly,
already half way up Grange Lane, and rushed on in pursuit without taking
thought of anything. The sick man had seized upon a long coat which had
been hanging in the hall, and which reached to his heels. Reginald flew
on, going as softly as he could, not to alarm him. Where could he be
going, utterly unclothed except in this big coat? Was it simply madness
that had seized him, nothing more or less? He followed, with his heart
beating loudly. There seemed nobody about, no one to whom he could make
an appeal to help him, even if he could overtake the rapidly progressing
fugitive. But even while this thought crossed his mind, Reginald saw
another figure, broad and tall, developing in the distance, coming
towards them, which stopped short, and put out an arm to stop the
flight. Even that moment gave him the advantage, and brought him near
enough to make out that it was Mr. Copperhead.

"The very man I want," h