Crowds of people came from all parts of the country to view the scene of the crime, and, if possible, to gain a glimpse of Jen and David, who as relatives--as it might be said--of the deceased were notorious for the time being; but thanks to the presence of the police and the vigilance of Jaggard, the crowd of sight-seers were unable to gratify their curiosity. The two men remained in , and saw no one save Dr. Etwald. A sympathetic message arrived from Mrs. Dallas, which, considering the way she had behaved toward Maurice, the major regarded as a insult.
"Can't she let the poor man rest in his grave?" said Jen, wrathfully. "It is all through her to the match that this has come about!"
"Oh, you can't say that, Uncle Jen," David.
"Yes, I can, sir. If Maurice had not been prevented from seeing Isabella, there would have been no necessity for him to call on Etwald at Deanminster; and if he had not done that he would not have been on the high road in the night to meet with his death. Mrs. Dallas and her infernal negress are at the bottom of the whole accursed business."
Of course this was on the part of Jen, who had no reason to connect either woman with the crime; but the poor man was beside himself with grief at the loss of Maurice, and hardly knew what he was saying. Being in this frame of mind he was by no means pleased when shortly after the delivery of Mrs. Dallas' message Dido made her appearance with a request for a personal interview.
"I shan't see that black witch," cried the poor major. "David--Etwald, send her away."
"I wouldn't if I were you, major!" said Etwald, ; "she might be the bearer of valuable information, likely to lead to the detection of Alymer's assassin."
"Then let her see the police, sir, although I don't agree with you. She is not the woman to put a rope round her own neck--black as it is."
"But surely, Uncle Jen, you don't look upon her as the guilty person!"
"How do I know who is guilty?" snapped Jen. "I wish I did! I'd hang him or her. But this black and her confounded mistress have to do with the death of my poor boy, I am certain."
"I doubt it. But will you see Dido or shall I send her away?"
"Yes--no--yes. That is, I don't wish to see her. Ask her what she wants, David."
David left the room and remained absent for some time. On his return he stated that Dido had come with a message from Isabella, and that she refused to deliver it to anyone save the major. Seeing that the negress was thus , and wondering what Miss Dallas might want with him at so painful a time, Jen yielded, and Dido was admitted into the library. She looked taller, more massive, and more than ever, and though she trembled at the sight of Dr. Etwald--who, by the way, kept his dark eyes studiously on her--she was fairly composed when she addressed the major.
"My lil missy want you, sar," said Dido, going straight to the point.
"What does she want to see me about?" asked Jen, coldly.
"I no know, massa. She weep! She ill! She make terrible bobbery, dat poo' girl. Massa, come an' see my lil missy dis day."
"I can't at present. The police are in the house; there is a lot to be attended to. Tell your mistress, Dido, that I will see her to-morrow."
"She want you to-day," insisted Dido, .
"I have given you the message," said Jen, sharply. "Tell her I'll see her to-morrow. And now, Dido, I want to know what you have to do with this crime?"
"I, massa! Ole Dido she do nuffin. Massa Maurice he die Voodoo! Oh, yes."
"By that devil-stick poison?"
"Me don't know what debble-stick is. I no touch him."
It was clearly impossible to learn anything from so a creature, so Jen repeated that he would call upon Isabella on the morrow, and dismissed the negress. As she left the room Dr. Etwald followed her, and on his return mentioned that he had been giving Dido some instructions as to what was to be done with Isabella.
"The girl is excited," he explained; "and now that she has sustained this shock of Mr. Alymer's death there is no knowing what complications may ensue."
"You don't think her life is in danger?" asked David, in a tone.
"No; but I fancy her reason is."
Here Jen looked suddenly at Etwald, and recalled the dinner at which the doctor had read the dead man's hand. Then he had ill of Maurice--an ill which it would seem had been fulfilled. Now, with equal , he was prognosticating evil for Isabella. at such croakings, Jen :
"You are a prophet of evil, Etwald," said he. "First my poor Maurice, now Miss Dallas."
"As to that," replied Etwald, with deliberation, "I that Miss Dallas may get ill from natural signs. She was in love with Alymer; she is of a highly excitable and nervous character, so it is easy to know that unless great care is exercised her brain may be ."
"But with regard to Maurice?"
"Quite a different thing. I read in his hand that he would be subject to a state of life in death."
"Which, as we guessed, meant or catalepsy," said David. "But, as you see, poor Maurice is dead. Your prophecy was false."
Etwald his shoulders.
"It would seem so," he . "Mr. Aylmer is dead, as you say; so the term life in death can not be to his present state of non-existence. But you will admit that I that evil would happen to him if he
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