her visitors with a blear-eyed look of dark
suspicion.

"What is't ye want?" she demanded, with a raven-like croak.

"Mr. Peacock has given this lady and myself permission to go over the
house," responded Lucian, trying to pass.

"And how do I know if he did?" grumbled Mrs. Kebby, blocking the way.

"Because I tell you so."

"And because I am the daughter of Mr. Vrain," said Diana, stepping
forward.

"Lord love ye, miss! are ye?" croaked Mrs. Kebby, stepping aside. "And
ye've come to look at your pa's blood, I'll be bound."

Diana turned pale and shuddered, but controlling herself by an effort of
will, she swept past the old woman and entered the sitting-room. "Is
this the place?" she asked Lucian, who was holding the door open.

"That it is, miss," cried the charwoman, who had hobbled after them,
"and yonder is the poor gentleman's blood; it soaked right through the
carpet," added Mrs. Kebby, with ghoulish relish. "Lor! 'ow it must 'ave
poured out!"

"Hold your tongue, woman!" said Lucian roughly, seeing that Diana looked
as though about to faint. "Get on with your work!"

"I'm going; it's upstairs I'm sweeping," growled the crone, retreating.
"You'll bring me to you if ye give a holler. I'll show ye round for a
shilling."

"You shall have double if you leave us alone," said Lucian, pointing to
the door.

Mrs. Kebby's blear eyes lighted up, and she leered amiably at the
couple.

"I dessay it's worth two shillings," she said, chuckling hoarsely. "Oh,
I'm not so old but what I don't know two turtle doves. He! he! To kiss
over yer father's blood! Lawks! what a match 'twill be! He! he!"

Still laughing hoarsely, Mrs. Kebby, in the midst of her unholy joy, was
pushed out of the door by Lucian, who immediately afterwards turned to
see if Diana had overheard her ill-chosen and ominous words. But Miss
Vrain, with a hard, white face, was leaning against the wall, and gave
no sign of such knowledge. Her eyes were fixed on a dull-looking red
stain of a dark hue, irregular in shape, and her hands the while were
pressed closely against her bosom, as though she felt a cruel pain in
her heart. With bloodless cheek and trembling lip the daughter looked
upon the evidence of her father's death. Lucian was alarmed by her
unnatural pallor.

"Miss Vrain!" he exclaimed, starting forward, "you are ill! Let me lead
you out of this house."

"No!" said Diana, waving him back. "Not till we examine every inch of
it; don't s