The first thing that struck Dr. Jim the next day, was an alteration in the demeanour of his friend. When Herrick arrived at "The Pines" after his visit to Corn, the Squire had already retired to bed, and was asleep, so the servant said. Not wishing to disturb him, Jim had supper all to himself, and went to his own room after a brisk walk on the terrace. It struck him as curious that Stephen did not come down to breakfast the next morning as he was now comparatively well. On asking for the Squire he was informed that Marsh-Carr had gone out for a walk. Herrick therefore had another lonely meal, wondering the while what had taken Stephen out so early. The young man did not return till late in the afternoon, and then excused himself by stating that he had been to see Petronella at Beorminster.

"She is still in that dull house," said Marsh-Carr gloomily, "although I think she is tired of it and wants to go to her own country. But she refuses to go all the same."

"What is her reason?" asked Herrick sharply.

"I can't get it out of her. She says my mother left a message with her."

"For you, I suppose? Well why doesn't she deliver it and get away."

"The message is for you Herrick."

Dr. Jim stared. "For me!" he cried. "Why, what possible message can your poor mother have left for me?"

"I really do not know," replied Stephen indifferently, "you had better see Petronella and ask her. She is looking very ill and if she stays much longer in that damp house she will die."

"All right," replied Herrick coolly, "I'll look her up some time. I daresay the message is only one asking me to look after you."

So Dr. Jim said, but in his heart he was wondering if the dead woman had left behind her any confession of her crime. She might have done so. Yet if she had poisoned herself to escape the consequences, it would have been foolish of her to incriminate herself. Herrick resolved to see Petronella at the first opportunity and learn what it was that she had to tell him. If there were any really important message it was strange that the old Italian had not delivered it long ago. He had seen her frequently and there had been ample opportunity for her to fulfil her mistress' dying wish. However Herrick put this out of his mind for the moment and turned his attention to Stephen. "You are not looking well Steve," he said gravely, "your face is white, you have dark rings round your eyes, and a haggard look as though you had not slept all night."

"I am not yet quite myself," said Marsh-Carr in a far more irritable tone than Herrick had ever heard him use before.

"I can see that, and being someone else has not improved your temper. I hope I have not offended you by going to town Steve?"

"Certainly not. How can you think so?"

"Well," said Dr. Jim looking at him, "it struck me that you have been trying to avoid me lately. If you are tired of me Steve, you need only say so, and I'll pack up and go."

"No, I'm hanged if you will," said the Squire vigorously. "I can't do without you. I have been worried a trifle and it has told on my present state of health. I'll be all right in a day or so."

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No. It is a private matter, and concerns myself only."

In the face of this intimation Herrick could not press his inquiries and began to speak on other subjects, Stephen replying more or less absently. As soon as he could he withdrew to his own room, saying he wanted to lie down. Herrick did not seek to detain him, but shook his head. "Something is wrong and he won't tell me what it is," he thought, "I wonder if Santiago has been tampering with him in any way. Perhaps Bess may know the reason for this change. I'll see her at once."

But the extraordinary thing was that he found Bess changed also. He had left her bright and merry, anxious to probe the secret of Colonel Carr's death. He returned to find her nervous, ill at ease, and disinclined to continue her detective investigations.

"I don't think we shall arrive at anything," she said when Herrick pressed her. "I spoke to Inspector Bridge and he can do nothing. He is a professional, and if he fails, how can we hope to succeed?"

"Inspector Bridge is a conceited ass," replied Dr. Jim gravely. "He knows absolutely nothing. I know more than he does."

"Did you see the Mexican and Mr. Joyce?" asked Bess.

"I saw them and I spoke to them, and I have found out something which I need not tell you just now. It would be useless to do so. I must search out the matter for myself, and when I succeed you shall know."

Bess sighed. "I do not mind in the least," she said mournfully. "I have ceased to take an interest in the matter. If Frisco did not kill Colonel Carr I do not know who did."

"Humph! You are changeable, like all women," said Dr. Jim rather puzzled by her attitude, yet never guessing its cause. "By the way, did you find out anything about that pistol?"

"Yes." Bess thought she might as well tell him, as he would certainly learn the truth sooner or later from Bridge. "The bullet fits the barrel.

"I thought so," said Jim. "It is the weapon which was used."

"Yes," answered Bess; then after a pause. "I made another discovery."

"Oh, you did? And about what, my dear?"

"The bullet which was used. It is of silver."

"Of silver? What do you mean? Isn't it lead?"

Bess laughed rather irritably. "If it was of lead how could it be silver?" she asked and then went on to tell how the jeweller had examined the missile. "Isn't it curious?" she said.

Herrick nodded absently. His eyes were fixed on the ground and he was trying to think of the reason Mrs. Marsh could have had for using so expensive a bullet. Certainly the weapon was old-fashioned and she would have to manufacture the bullets for herself. But why use silver in preference to lead, or pewter? In an ordinary household the supply of the last two metals was likely to be more plentiful than the first. This was a problem, but one of so trifling a nature that Herrick dismissed it almost immediately. He turned his attention to Bess.

"What have you and Stephen been doing with yourselves?" he asked.

Bess started violently and changed colour at once. "Nothing Jim," she said stiffly, "why do you ask?"

"Well, you both look ill. Stephen is avoiding me, and you are as silent as an owl."

"Not so stupid I hope," said Bess with a laugh. At this moment Ida entered the room, and nothing more was said. But Ida also complained of Stephen's health. "I wish you would make him stay in bed Dr. Jim," she said, "I am certain that he has got up too soon and is not strong enough to go about. Look how pale he is, and silent. I can't get a word out of him."

Herrick nodded. "I am not pleased myself Ida. This comes of my running away to Town. I'll exert my authority."

He spoke to Stephen and urged him to lie up for a few days. The young man obeyed meekly enough, and this very meekness made Herrick uneasy. He would rather that Stephen had shown fight. But the Squire remained in bed, took what was given him, and hardly ever opened his mouth. Ida was in despair; Herrick was puzzled, and the two met to discuss the situation.

"When did he change like this?" asked Dr. Jim.

"I think it was the day after you left," replied Ida tearfully, "I went to Beorminster to see Flo, and left him quite bright. When I met him again, he was dull, and quiet, and white. Yet Bess was with him while I was away, so he should not have missed me so much."

"Oh!" said Jim with sudden interest, "so Bess was with him, was she? H'm! It strikes me that Bess herself is not so bright as she might be."

"Indeed you are right there," said Miss Endicotte, "she is sad and silent just like Stephen. Or else she is so gay that I think she is too excited. She cries for the least thing, and laughs without any cause."

"Humph! Sounds like hysteria to me. Yet Bess is not given that way."

"Of course not," said Ida repelling the suggestion hastily, "she is a strong, healthy, sensible girl and above such weakness. But as you say she and Stephen have both changed. I think," here Ida hesitated and looked down. It amazed Herrick when she looked up to see that her eyes were filled with tears. He could not understand it all.

"My dear girl what is the matter?" he exclaimed irritably, "are you ill also. The devil has broken loose here since my departure."

"I--I--can't--help it," sobbed Ida, "I thought that Bess and Stephen might--might like one another."

"Of course they do Ida. Why shouldn't they?"

"You don't understand what I mean. I wonder if they were in love with one another and regret their engagements."

Herrick burst into such a hearty fit of laughter that she was cheered. "I never heard such nonsense in my life!" he said. "Where is your women's wit Ida? Why, Bess loves me devotedly I am certain. As for Stephen, he adores the very ground you walk on. No! It's not that my dear girl."

"Then what can it be?" asked Ida drying her tears.

"I shall question Bess until I find out," said Herrick grimly. "You have no idea how I can torture people with cross examination."

True to his idea, Dr. Jim sought out Bess. He came across her in the Pine wood beside the fairy circle. Her eyes were cast on the ground and she looked despondent. When she saw Herrick she made as if to go away.

Dr. Jim felt wounded. "Bess! Don't you want to see me."

"Of course I do," she said brightly, "only, I'm not very well."

"Neither is Stephen," said Dr. Jim, and he saw by her start that the remark made her nervous. "Have you two quarrelled?"

"No! we have not; we are great friends."

"Are you in love with one another then?"

Bess grew crimson and stamped. "How dare you say such a thing as that even in jest?" she said. "What would Ida say if she heard it."

"It was Ida's own idea," replied Herrick with a smile, "seeing you two so glum, she fancied that you regretted your engagements and wanted to marry one another. Just say if this is the case Bess and Ida and I will console each other! That would be only fair, you know!"

The first smile that Herrick had seen on her face since his return dimpled the cheek of Bess. "I never heard such nonsense. I like Stephen, but you are the man I love. You stupid Jim; you know that!"

"I am not quite sure if I do," said Jim gravely; "in love there should be complete confidence."

"Surely there is, between us," said Bess nervously.

"You can't look me in the face and repeat that."

Bess made the attempt, and failed. "It is nothing!" she said obstinately.

"There _is_ something............