long will that take?"

"I don't know."

"Mr. Adams did not show himself. I thought he would help us in some
way."

"He must have a good reason for staying away."

"What do you think the jury will do?"

At this direct question, the young man gave an inward groan. "I don't
know," he answered in an unnatural voice. "We must hope for the best."

In less than an hour it was announced that the jury had arrived at a
verdict. Those who had left the courtroom returned and the jurymen
filed in. The excitement was subdued, but plainly at a white heat.
The coroner took his place at the desk.

"Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed upon a verdict?" was the
question put.

"We have," was the unanimous answer.

"Who will speak for you?"

"Mr. Blackwell, our foreman."

"Very well. Ahem! Mr. Blackwell, what is the verdict?"

Mr. Blackwell, a well-known citizen of the town, stood up. The
courtroom became intensely silent.

"We find that Mr. and Mrs. Barry Langmore came to their deaths either
by being smothered, chloroformed, poisoned, or in some similar fashion,
the direct means not yet being brought to light, and we find that the
evidence points to Margaret Langmore as the one who committed the
murders."

Hardly was the verdict rendered than a wild cry rang out through the
courtroom. Margaret staggered to her feet, put out her hands in an
uncertain fashion, and then dropped senseless into Raymond's arms.

CHAPTER XIV

IS THIS MADNESS?

Instantly there was wild confusion, and half a dozen persons sprang
forward to assist Raymond with his burden. But he waved them back.

"Let her have air," he said. "Don't crowd so close. She must have
air," and he moved towards a window. The crowd separated to let him
pass and allowed him the use of an entire bench, while more water was
brought and the bottle of smelling salts was again produced. In the
meantime the coroner whispered to the chief of police, who in turn
whispered to a policeman, and the two minions of the law followed
Raymond.

Margaret lay like one dead, every particle of color having forsaken her
cheeks. Raymond waited anxiously, and then applied his ear to her
heart.

"A doctor!" he cried hoarsely. "A doctor, for Heaven's sake! She is
dying!"

Doctor Bardon came forward, followed by Doctor Bird, and both looked at
the unconscious one closely and critically. There was no shamming
here--the shock had been heavy--the bolt had struck ho