it must have been horrible for you all!'

'In a way it was,' I replied. 'But do you know, in spite of the horror
of everything, most of the men look upon it as great sport. You are
altering your opinion of Captain Springfield, aren't you?'

'How do you know?' And I saw that her face flushed.

'When we met him over at Granitelands, you told me that he made you
think of snakes.'

'Yes, but I was silly, and impulsive. Even you can't deny that he is
fascinating. Besides, I always admire mysterious, strong men.'

'Will you promise me something, Lorna?' I ventured after an awkward
silence.

'Of course I will if I can. What is it?'

But I had not time to tell her; we had come up to the house at that
moment, and I saw both Springfield and Buller, who had come over to
lunch, hurrying towards us.

Our greetings were scarcely over, when Edgecumbe and Norah Blackwater
came up. Immediately Springfield saw them a change came over his face.
He had met Lorna Bolivick with a laugh, but as he saw Edgecumbe the
laugh died on his face, while the scar on his cheek became more
pronounced.

As far as I can remember, nothing of special note happened during the
afternoon, but in the evening, just before dinner, I saw a ghastly
pallor creep over Edgecumbe's face, and then suddenly and without
warning he fell down like one dead.

CHAPTER XIX

A MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS

Of course Edgecumbe's sudden illness caused great commotion. Nearly
every member of the family was present at the time, and confusion
prevailed. Buller asked foolish questions, I was nearly beside myself
with anxiety, Sir Thomas hazarded all sorts of guesses as to the reason
of his malady, Norah Blackwater became nearly hysterical, while Lorna
Bolivick looked at him with horror-stricken eyes.

The only two persons who seemed to retain their senses were Captain
Springfield and Lady Bolivick. The former suggested that in all
probability it was a sudden attack resulting from the life he had led
in India, and also suggesting that a doctor should be sent for at once,
while Lady Bolivick summoned the servants to carry him to bed
immediately. Both of these suggestions were immediately acted on. A
groom was dispatched to the nearest doctor, who lived at South
Petherwin village, while a few minutes later Edgecumbe lay in bed with
a look of death upon his face.

The whole happening had been so sudden, that I was unable to view it
calmly. That morning he had