A Chance Acquaintance

et himself in at the front door with a latch-key, and walke

e began, and then, seeing s

this is my cousin, Mr. Lawren

he graceful courtesy of a well-bred cit

orge," began Janet,

She cast an appealing glance at me, as if to ask me to speak for her

girl, while Mr. Lawrence tu

a straightforward statement would be the best, I to

, what does it mean? He had no heart tr

Two doctors are in there n

laimed Mr. Lawrenc

e, your late uncle's physician, and

irst?" asked

demeanor, took it upon herself to answer his question. She had stopped c

ill, but when the doctor came he said he was dead; and then he want

t, if Uncle Robert was alre

iscover what caus

thing else, but checked himself. I could readily understand why he should hesitate to say in t

med to be an underlying vein of kindly feeling and courteous solicitude. Like Miss Pembroke

glad that her cousin had arrived, and he seemed desirous of doing whatever he could to help her. I was struck by the utter absence of any expressions of grief on the part of either, and then I remembered what I had heard about the cruel temper of their uncle. Could it be possible, I thought, that these two

ay and leave them to themselves. I made a remark to this effect, but, to my surprise, both Miss Pembroke

tact, managed to keep up a desultory con

e apartment. It also transpired-though this, I think, was told unintentionally-that the reason why he went away to live by himself was because he

e Robert in his rages was almost insane. He grew worse as he grew older. Janet and I lived with him for many years, and each year he grew more unbearable. I suppose, poor old chap, it w

t his cousin, who acknowledged h

I'm sorry now that I wasn't more patient. Poor

r power to make it pleasant for him, and if he wouldn't accept your

rrel last night, and when Uncle left me he was ve

ung Lawrence, looking sympathetically a

broke's quarrel with her uncle the night before had had to do with Graham Leroy in some way. This might ref

ng, Miss Pembroke burst into one of those convulsive fits of sobbing. I was glad Laura was

suppress any exhibition of emotion. His white face grew whiter, and he clinched his han

ssed feeling, and as I did not think myself sufficiently acqu

s came. They looked exceedingly grave; indeed, their faces bore a

sping the hand of the young man, "I'm gl

ndeed surprised and shocked at Uncle Robert's sudden de

his voice had a peculiar ring, as

looked suddenly up at him, as if he had said something more. Her crying spell was over, for t

he inquired, looking stra

nor disease of any sort. Mr. Robert Pembroke did not

to announce this fact so baldly; but it seemed to me nothing short of bru

clasping her hands

. Indeed, I must confess that had it not been for Doctor Post's conviction that the death was

, and it seemed to me she

e a most thorough examination, and we are convinced that these are the facts. Mr. Pembroke was lying on his side, in a most natural position, and was, in all probability, sleeping soundly. This gave the murderer an excellent opportunity to aim the deadly pin with careful precision, and to pierce the brain with a swift sta

xpected, so fearfully sudden, so appalling, that the

id, and his white face and compressed lips show

terson spoke mechanically, as

his own importance. And perhaps this was but natural, as the older doctor had plainly stated

hough I felt repelled at the avidity he showed, I knew he was right. Though the others seemed partially

rcling arm. The girl sat upright, her great eyes fixed on Doctor Masterson's face.

ed in a low whisper; "

it that she was seeking help and sympathy for herself? If so she could stop with me. She need look no further. I knew that in the near future she would want help, and that of a legal nature. She had herself said, or at least

to Doctor Masterson, but it was easily seen that this was a mere form, and he himself quite evidently intended to be the real director of affairs. "We must find out who was the int

lf would doubtless call the Detective Instinct; and, moreover, it was clearly indicated that his knowledge of the proper methods of procedure were gained fr

our province, Doctor Post. We have performed our duty. We have learned the method and means of Robert Pembroke's death; we have made our report, an

d. But he quickly covered it, and ef

esire to be of assistance. What you say, Doctor Masterson, is entirely true. And now," he add