better
than himself, how true that was.

"But why should they subpoena me?" asked Bartlett.

"Don't fret over that," advised his companion, with a calm smile. "You
probably aren't the only one. A coroner's inquest is, as some one has
said, a sort of fishing excursion. They start out not expecting much,
not knowing what they are going to get, and sometimes they catch
nothing--or no one--and again, a big haul is made. It's merely a sort
of clearing house, and I, for one, will be glad to listen to what is
brought out at the hearing."

"Well, then I suppose it will be all right," assented the young man, but
the manner in which he looked again at the legal document was distinctly
nervous.

"Had we better tell--her?" and he motioned to the house, on the steps of
which they stood, Shag having pressed the bell for his master.

"Miss Carwell probably knows all about it," said Colonel Ashley.

They found Viola waiting for them in the library, passing on their way
the darkened and closed room which held all that was mortal of the late
owner of The Haven--no, not quite all of him, for certain portions were,
even then, being subjected to the minute and searching analysis of a
number of chemists, under the direction of the county prosecutor.

"It was very good of you to come, Colonel Ashley," said Viola quietly.
"I appreciate it more than I can express--at this time."

"I'm very glad to come," said the colonel as he held her hand in his
warm, firm clasp. "I am only sorry that it was necessary to send for
me on such an occasion. Believe me, I will do all I can for you, Miss
Carwell. Your father was my very good friend."

"Thank you. What most I want is to clear my father's name from the
imputation of having--of having killed himself," and she halted over the
words.

"You mean that you suspect--" began Colonel Ashley.

"Oh, I don't know what to think, and certainly I don't dare suspect any
one!" exclaimed Viola. "It is all so terrible! But one thing I would
like all father's friends to know--that he did not take his own life. He
would not do such a thing."

"Then," said Colonel Ashley, "we must show that it was either an
accident--that he took the fatal dose by mistake or that some one gave
it to him. Forgive me for thus brutally putting it, but that is what it
simmers down to."

"Yes, I have thought of that," returned Viola, and her shrinking form
and the haunted look in her eyes told what an ordeal it was for her. "I