since last night.
This morning, Doctor Benoit horrified me by telling me that Doctor Heath
has been arrested for the murder of John Burrill."

Just here the study door opens softly, and a portly, pleasant faced
gentleman enters. He bows with easy self-possession, and turns
expectantly toward O'Meara. That gentleman performed the ceremony of
introduction.

"Miss Wardour, permit me: Mr. a--Wedron, of the New York Bar. Mr.
Wedron, my dear, is here in the interest of Doctor Heath."

A pair of searching gray eyes are turned full upon the stranger, who
bears the scrutiny with infinite composure. She bows gravely, and then
seats herself opposite the two gentleman.

"Mr. O'Meara," she says, imperiously, "I want to hear the full
particulars of this affair, from the very first, up to the present
moment."

The two professional men exchange glances. Then Mr. Wedron interposes:
"Miss Wardour," he says, slowly, "we are acting for Clifford Heath, in
this matter, therefore, I must ask, do you come as a friend of the
accused, or--to offer testimony?"

Again the gray eyes flash upon him. "I come as a friend of Doctor
Heath," she says, haughtily; "and I ask only what is known to all W----,
I suppose."

Mr. Wedron conceals a smile of satisfaction behind a smooth white hand;
then he draws a bundle of papers from his pocket.

"O'Meara," he says, passing them to his colleague; "here are the items
of the case, as we summed them up last evening; please read them to Miss
Wardour." And he favors the little lawyer, with a swift, but significant
glance.

Drawing his chair a little nearer that of his visitor, O'Meara begins,
while the portly gentleman sits in the background and notes, lynx-like,
every expression that flits across the face of the listening girl.

O'Meara reads on and on. The summing up is very comprehensive. From the
first discovery of the body, to the last item of testimony before the
coroner's jury; and after that, the strangeness, the apathy, the
obstinacy of the accused, and his utter refusal to add his testimony, or
to accuse any other. Utter silence falls upon them as the reading
ceases.

Constance sits mute and pale as a statue; Mr. Wedron seems quite
self-absorbed, and Mr. O'Meara, glances around nervously, as if waiting
for a cue.

Constance turns her head slowly, and looks from one to the other.

"Mr. O'Meara, Mr. Wedron, you are to defend Doctor Heath, you tell me?"
They both nod assent.

"And--have yo