The Silver Bullet

ve all the indomitable determination of Mrs. Marsh not to die, enabled her to turn the corner. She became much better, but still suffered from racking pains. At times Herrick gave her morphia

ke, Jim could no

spite of the fact that he was attending her out of sheer kindness, and had intimated to Stephen that he expected no fee, Mrs. Marsh abused him virulently whenever she felt so inclined. But then she abused everyone, even Petronella, who was her slave. As to Stephen, devoted as

Herrick after some tussel, "was there

of Europe for three years with a young dipsomaniac and had contrived to pick up three or four tongues, which he spoke remarkably correctly. Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dr. Jim knew them all

," she said sometimes, "it is the blood of the M

l Carr? Eh,

s the last of them, and it is not wonder she is angry. Per Bacco," added Petronella who co

. As soon as your signora can be re

no luck. Eh Signor, but that man had the evil eye. Once I went with the padrona to see him. He ove

Stephen Marsh. The senior partner of Frith and Frith had come down personally with the will. This left Stephen the house, on condition that he pulled down the tower.

body of our late client is to be put in there, and you alone are to hold the key of the door. Once a month you are to enter the vault and see t

ant!" said Stephen in surprise

es, I do not think you will be troubled by him. Also Mr. Marsh--or rather Mr. Carr since you have to take

n was seen about the construction of a new vault. Evidently the Colonel did not consider that his remains would be safe in the ancestral burial-place. In spite of all secrecy, the countryside came to know of this strange provision of Carr's will, and it was said that he wanted to make sure tha

emained at Saxham, or rather for the sake of his patient he lived at Beorminster, paying occasional visits to th

said angrily, "and I must go to

I took you for this walking tour, to do you good. Now you are in excellent health. I must r

obin. "You have such an influence ove

no use relying on other people. But if you feel that I am so indispensable to you, why n

stay here I shall not see much

e Robin you think I am after his money; but you know me better than that. The

like to stay here Jim, I'll return to London, and we can meet when you return.

of me. I like her very much but in my present sta

bright talk and merry face had made him a general favourite. The Biff's especially were sorry. Bes

said in her blunt way, "you c

London is my home. I cannot get enough o

about it," cried Bess

ill let me come down and see you at times. And we can correspond. And if you have any

y, but on the whole somewhat relieved to be rid of such a burden. For Robin was one of those people who are delightful to meet and terrible to live with. Had he been ill or in trouble the conscient

hey lived in a tumbledown house of considerable size, down a deep and leafy lane. At one time the Endicottes had been great folks, but the late Mr. Endicotte who had married the daughter o

--as it was said--of a broken heart. It seemed probable that the five c

tirely penniless. Ida the eldest was twenty-four when her father died; Bess, had reached the age of twenty-three; and Sidney the youngest,

e. "Ida can look after the house, Frank can manage the farm; and Sidney can g

hild!" expostu

ver we may do. Everybody knows who we are and what we are. Ther

ere was absolutely no other way of settling the matter. In one way and another, Lord Gartham paid off the debts by selling some of the land, and arranged that the united five should have a small i

oked after the house, and Frank managed the farm. Flo was put to a Beorminster school, whence she returned once a week to Saxham, and Sidney

was right; but the majority agreed that it was a pity such a beautiful girl should develop into an old maid. But the fact is no one knew Ida's secret. She was in love with Stephen, and although they had never spoken on the subject they

is mind that her heart was engaged. Open on most points with his new friend, Stephen out of delicacy for Ida was reticent about h

that was merely her own desire, and did not think there was anything serious between the young people. Nor could Mrs. Marsh

w more of her stormy character, than had ever been shown to him before. She could sit up in b

said, drawing her black brows together. "Come and ta

the best of fellows," replied J

ephen I mean. You are strong enough in every wa

good-hearted fool," she said at last, "and with his sweet nature is likely to be imposed upon in t

taken aback by the responsibility thrust upon him. "I am no

ee that; and I'm no fool. All your influence over Stephen will be for good. I can get h

d Jim puzzled. "Has he any i

ish him to marry Ida Endicotte. She is a well-born girl and a good wo

face. "Liking is not love," he

face of the young man. Then after a scrutiny she gave a short laugh

said so M

nd me. I am a woman.

hould deny it," he said coldly, "I am in love with Miss End

es Stephen though. But here I am chained to this bed and cannot get out to attend to matters of importance. Humph!" she eyed Herrick steadily, "so you are in love wi

r Mrs.

y rather than see her pet scheme interfered with. I am not that sort of narrow-minded person. You shall have your chance along with Stephen. If she loves you, marry her in God's nam

y should not think of objecting Mrs. Marsh," said H

few things a man will not do, or a woman for the matter of that!" She clenched her thin hand that laid outside the coverlet, and her face darkened. "I kn

aid Herrick after her thirst was as

y, "I have much to say of importance

h. You are getting b

e; one never knows," s

t!" said he trying to joke her out of so m

terly. "He was a devil if ever there was one. However this is not to the point," she we

Herrick with some hesitation, "but until Stephen himsel

oo fond of poring over books; too careless of his physical health. Make him ride, and golf, and all the rest of it. I have been a fool keepin

nce over him" said He

her gloomy reply, "no; you are the teacher he w

d hinted at something of danger to herself.

n?" asked Mrs. M

here is not the least likelihood of your doing so unless you take an overdose of that chl

emy. But I feel--I have a presentiment--that I am not long for th

ood would revolt against such morbid nonsen

ols, other than that dead devil Carr. If I made a confidant of anyone it would be of you. But so far as I personall

am willing. A thousand a year is not to be despised. Moreove

arry her by all means! If Stephen

necessity to promise. I am a man of honour. If Stephen and Miss Endicotte love

Marsh cynically. "However, you complained of my want of confidence. I a

an of him--s

of an excuse. I also want you--and th

re you hinting at?" a

ly. "Oh, you may look astonished, b

The money goes to Frisco if Stephen should neglect t

e is no one else I can think of who had an interest in Carr's death. I do not know what secrets h

Carr's secrets he could have blackmaile

wo devils like them would do. Frisco killed his master before he could fire a shot. That is why all the chambers of the revolver were found loaded. Well, Frisco has had to fly; but he will not give up his chance of getting the money. No! He

get that if Frisco shows himself, he will be arr

risco; I do," she said: and not another word