let alone an
old man of so delicate an organization. He will die."

"I hope not," said Cuthbert, impulsively.

The physician looked at him benignly. "I differ from you," he
declared, "death will come as a happy release to Lord Caranby. For
years he has been suffering from an incurable complaint which gave him
great pain. But that he had so much courage, he would have killed
himself."

"He never complained."

"A brave man like that never does complain. Besides, he took great
care of himself. When he came back to London he was fairly well. I
think he must have done something rash to bring on a recurrence of his
illness. Within a few days of his arrival he grew sick again. In some
way he over-exerted himself."

"I don't think he ever did," said Mallow, doubtfully.

"But I am certain of it. Within a week of his arrival here he had a
relapse. I taxed him with going out too much and with over-exertion,
but he declined to answer me."

"Will he become conscious again?"

"I think so, in a few hours, but I cannot be sure. However, you need
not be alarmed, Mr. Mallow. His affairs are all right. In view of his
illness I advised him to make his will. He said that he had done so,
and that everything was in apple-pie order."

"It is not that, doctor. I wish to ask him some questions. Will you
remain here?"

"Till the end," replied Yeo, significantly; "but it will not take place
for a few hours, so far as I can see."

"I wish to go out for an hour. Can I, with safety?"

"Certainly. Lord Caranby will live for some time yet."

Mallow nodded and left the bedroom, while Yeo returned to the bed upon
which lay the unconscious form of the old man. Cuthbert took a walk to
the end of the street where the wreckage of the motor car had now been
removed, and asked the policeman what had become of the victims. He
was informed that the chauffeur, in a dying condition, had been removed
to the Charing Cross Hospital, and that the body of the old woman--so
the constable spoke--had been taken to the police station near at hand.
"She's quite dead and very much smashed up," was the man's report.

Mallow thanked him with half-a-crown and, having learned the
whereabouts of the police station, he went there. He introduced
himself to the inspector and, as the nephew of Lord Caranby, received
every attention, particularly when he described how the vitriol had
been thrown. Cuthbert thought it as well to say this, as the wai