whispered, cautiously; “do not let any one hear you, Violet. Listen to me. You have known me all your life; you know that Rosamond Arleigh was[Pg 51] very dear to me; you will believe me when I say that I have good reason to believe that a terrible crime has been attempted.” [Pg 51] “Doctor Danton!” Her voice rang out in wild alarm. “It is true, my dear. It is so apparently true, and I am so fully convinced of foul play, that I have taken certain steps in the matter. Wait a moment, my child; I will explain all when I have looked at your mother.” He stepped swiftly, noiselessly to the side of the couch, and gazed long and earnestly into the still, white face. The doctor nodded gravely. He was a fine-looking man of middle age, with a face that any woman would trust, with its deep, gray eyes, and dark hair just touched with silver. “It is as I thought,” he said. He drew from his pocket a small leathern case, and opening it, selected a vial from the half dozen that it contained. He proceeded to pour a few drops between the teeth of the supposed dead woman. “Violet, my child”—the doctor lifted his head, and his eyes met the bewildered gaze of the girl—“I do not like to raise false hopes in your heart, but I believe, I truly believe, that there is a hope of saving your mother yet. I do not think that she is dead.” “Oh, thank God! thank God! Let me go and call Aunt Constance at once.” “Not for your life!” Doctor Danton’s hand came[Pg 52] down upon the girl’s shoulder. “Stop!” he commanded; “listen to me! If I restore Rosamond Arleigh to life once more, no one must know or suspect the truth—no one but yourself and the gentleman in the room yonder. Violet, he is a detective.” [Pg 52] “A—detective?” gasped the girl. “Yes; and an exceedingly clever one at that. I sent for him to keep watch with me to-night, having first, with some difficulty, induced Mrs. Rutledge to consent to leave everything to me. But first I administered a potion to your mother which will restore circulation and keep her in this condition until I can go to work properly in the case. Violet, I believe that some one has attempted her life. The empty chloral bottle was placed at
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