-room with tea, and she unlocked the door. The
landlady brought in the things. She was on the point of leaving them when
Arthur stopped her.

'How do you know that Mrs Haddo died of heart disease?' he asked
suddenly.

His voice was hard and stern. He spoke with a peculiar abruptness that
made the poor woman look at him in amazement.

'Dr Richardson told me so.'

'Had he been attending her?'

'Yes, sir. Mr Haddo had called him in several times to see his lady.'

'Where does Dr Richardson live?'

'Why, sir, he lives at the white house near the station.'

She could not make out why Arthur asked these questions.

'Did Mr Haddo go to the funeral?'

'Oh yes, sir. I've never seen anyone so upset.'

'That'll do. You can go.'

Susie poured out the tea and handed a cup to Arthur. To her surprise, he
drank the tea and ate some bread and butter. She could not understand
him. The expression of strain, and the restlessness which had been so
painful, were both gone from his face, and it was set now to a look of
grim determination. At last he spoke to them.

'I'm going to see this doctor. Margaret's heart was as sound as mine.'

'What are you going to do?'

'Do?'

He turned on her with a peculiar fierceness.

'I'm going to put a rope round that man's neck, and if the law won't help
me, by God, I'll kill him myself.'

'_Mais, mon ami, vous etes fou_,' cried Dr Porhoet, springing up.

Arthur put out his hand angrily, as though to keep him back. The frown on
his face grew darker.

'You _must_ leave me alone. Good Heavens, the time has gone by for tears
and lamentation. After all I've gone through for months, I can't weep
because Margaret is dead. My heart is dried up. But I know that she
didn't die naturally, and I'll never rest so long as that fellow lives.'

He stretched out his hands and with clenched jaws prayed that one day he
might hold the man's neck between them, and see his face turn livid and
purple as he died.

'I am going to this fool of a doctor, and then I shall go to Skene.'

'You must let us come with you,' said Susie.

'You need not be frightened,' he answered. 'I shall not take any steps of
my own till I find the law is powerless.'

'I want to come with you all the same.'

'As you like.'

Susie went out and ordered a trap to be got ready. But since Arthur would
not wait, she arranged that it should be sent for them to the doctor's
door. They went there at once, on foot.

Dr Richardson