"Tell me the Doctor's opinion, Valentine," Diana said, eagerly. "Does he
think the case very serious?"
"He does. It is more serious than you or I could have imagined, if
Providence had not helped me to discover the truth."
"What do you mean, Valentine?"
He gave her in brief the story of his day's work. She listened to him
breathlessly, but uttered no exclamation until his story was finished.
"It is most horrible," she said at last; "but I believe it is most true.
There has been so much in that man's conduct that has mystified me; and
_this_ explains all. But what earthly motive can have prompted this
hideous crime?"
"He believes that he has a beneficial interest in her death. I cannot
fully understand his motive; but, rely upon it, there is a motive, and a
sufficient one. And I have let that man delude me into belief in his
honesty after I had been warned against him! But there is no time for
regrets. Diana, I look to you to help me in saving my dear love."
"It is not too late to save her?"
"Dr. Jedd will commit himself to no positive statement. He tells me she
is in danger, but he does not refuse all hope. Now listen, my dear. In
that house I have only two people to help me--Ann Woolper and yourself.
Ann Woolper I hold only by a feeble bond. I think she will be true to us;
but I am not sure of her. Sheldon's influence over her is a powerful one;
and God knows what concession he might extort from her.
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