Naturally the end of the counsel for the created a great sensation. The trial was brought to an conclusion, the court was cleared, and the body of the dead man taken to the residence of Major Jen. In his rooms at Deanminster was found the signed by him, and which was substantially the same as that which he had made in court. At once--after the formalities of the law had been observed--Dr. Etwald was set at liberty on the charge of murder.  
Whereupon he returned to his house as though nothing had happened. Mrs. Dallas and Isabella came back to "The Wigwam," but without Dido. On the day when the trial terminated in so tragic a manner the negress disappeared, and with her the famous Voodoo stone.
 
"I wish I could have caught her," said Arkel to Major Jen. "She committed in order to get Dr. Etwald hanged, and she ought to have been punished for her wickedness. It has been a terrible affair, major."
 
Jen, who was now looking old and broken down, agreed with a sad shake of his gray head.
 
"My poor lads," said he, in a voice full of . "First one and then the other--to lose them both in this awful fashion."
 
"What!" cried Arkel, in surprise. "Do you pity Mr. Sarby?"
 
"Why not?" answered the major, quietly. "To my mind, he needs more pity than poor Maurice. The lad was driven mad by , and he was worked on by Dido to commit the crime. The cause of all these troubles, Mr. , is not Dr. Etwald, but that black witch. I wish she could be caught."
 
"She may be, major. There is a warrant out against her for perjury."
 
Arkel too hopefully, for Dido was never caught. She was too clever to give the police a chance of laying hands on her. Like a stone cast into a wide ocean, she disappeared from Deanminster--from England, no doubt, and of the Voodoo stone, possibly took her way back to her native "Ashantee," there to become the high priestess in the horrible fetish worship of Africa.
 
For the next two days Major Jen stayed in his house and watched over the of David. It was laid out in what had been the young man's bedchamber, surrounded by burning candles, and with pale flowers of virginal whiteness on the bed. The whole scene was but a repetition of that which had taken place when Maurice had died. Both young men had perished from the effects of the infernal African poison. Both had perished in the bloom of youth; and on the right hand of each was the fatal wound which had the blood. But the corpse of David was here. The corpse of Maurice, where? Only Dr. Etwald could answer the question, and he, released on the charge of murder, was now out on for the theft of the corpse.
 
While the major was wondering what would be the outcome of all the terrible events which had filled the past few weeks, Jaggard--who, with his recovered health, had resumed his duties--entered the library and announced that Mrs. Dallas and her daughter wished to see him. Although he was to speak to those who had caused these troubles, Jen had no reasonable grounds for refusing an interview. Therefore, he gave orders that the ladies should be shown into the drawing-room. When he repaired , however, he found to his surprise that Mrs. Dallas only was waiting for him.
 
"I could not get Isabella further than the door of your house," exclaimed Mrs. Dallas, who was in deep mourning, whether for Maurice or David, or for the loss of Dido, it was impossible to say.
 
"Why did she not come in?" asked Jen, coldly, for he did not feel very disposed toward the widow.
 
"I don't know. She is a strange girl, major, and the events of the last few weeks have shaken her nerves."
 
"They have shaken mine," retorted Jen, grimly. "But we need not discuss these things, Mrs. Dallas. May I ask why you have paid me this visit?"
 
"To tell you that we are going away."
 
"Going away, and where, may I ask?"
 
"Back to Barbadoes," replied Mrs. Dallas, with a sigh. "Yes, major, after what has taken place here, I can stay no longer in England. I shall sell my house and leave for the West Indies with my daughter within the month."
 
"I think it is the best thing you can do," said Jen, brusquely. "By the way, what has become of Dido?"
 
"She has left me in the most ungrateful manner. Since she obtained the Voodoo stone and gave evidence at the trial she has not been seen. I believe," added Mrs. Dallas, in a manner, "that Dido has gone to Barbadoes also."
 
"To be queen of the black witches of Obi, no doubt. Faugh!"
 
"I am disgusted with her, too," said Mrs. Dallas, indorsing the major's .
 
"So you ought to be, Mrs. Dallas, for Dido has been your evil genius. If you had not submitted to her will, she would not have dared to hypnotize you. If you had not been hypnotized on that night, you would not have taken the devil-stick, consequently both David and Maurice would still be alive. Your negress has been a perfect Até, Mrs. Dallas."
 
"Major, major! Do not be too hard on me. I suffer--oh, how I suffer!"
 
"And I also. Both my boys are dead, one by the hand of the other, and that other by his own hand. It is you and your daughter and Dido who have brought about these things. Go to Barbadoes, Mrs. Dallas, by all means. You and yours have done quite sufficient in England."
 
Just as Jen ended his speech and Mrs. Dallas was about to reply, the door opened to admit--Dr. Etwald. Both the major and the Creole stared at him in surprise, as neither for the moment could grasp the idea that he had been bold enough to present himself before those whom he had so deeply wronged.
 
"Ah," said Etwald, as as ever, "I thought I should find you here, major, but I hardly expected to see Mrs. Dallas."
 
"You !" cried that lady, starting from her seat. "Do you think I want to see you after all the you have caused? Why, I refuse even to remain in the same room with you." And with a furious gesture the Creole swept past Etwald and out of the door, which she banged loudly. Etwald looked at the door, his shoulders, and turned politely to the major.
 
"It is just as well she is gone," said he, quietly. "It is better that our conversation should be private."
 
"I wish to hold no conversation with a scoundrel, sir," cried Jen, purple with rage. "Follow the example of ............