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278 WILD MARGARET.
running to and fro in the vast hall, the sounds of life were
filling the air which a short time back was so still and
quiet.
_ He entered the hall and mounted the stair with drag-
ging step. In the corridor his valet stood aside to let him
pass, and regarded his pale face with covert curiosity.
‘* Ts—is her ladyship down yet?’ asked Blair.
“No, my lord; it isnot her ladyship’s time for rising
yet.”
Blair glanced at the clock. : a
‘* No, no,’’? he said. Then his face darkened. ‘ Will
you go to Mr. Ambrose’s room and send him to me?”’ he
said. ’
‘‘Mr. Ambrose has gone into the city, and has not re-
turned yet, my lord,’’ said the man, ‘I thought your
lordship knew ?
_ ** Wait in the hall until he returns, and ask him to come
to me,’’ said Blair. ; ;
He passed on and entered Violet’s boudoir. -His note
Jay on the table where he had left it, and he tore it in
pieces and dropped it on the fire. Then he paced to and
fro, stopping to listen now and again. .
- All was still.in Violet’s room, and he began to ask him-
self the question if it was necessary for him to see her.
Could he not write and tell herall that he had discovered ;
could he not break it to her in some way? Why should
he not leave the place with Margaret alone, within an
hour or two, and see-Violet no more?
But his spirit rebelled against the suggestion. It seemed
unmanly and unworthy. No, he would, go through with
his task to the bitter end. Tirst Violet, then the other
conspirator, Austin Ambrose. Still he waited. The hands
of the clock toiled round the dial, and chimed the hour.
With astart he nerved himself and knocked at the door.
No response followed, and he knocked again and again,
more loudly.. Then he opened the door and entered.
' The next instant he staggered back with a cry of hor-
ror. °
Stretched upon the bed was the woman he had made his
wife, and lying at her feet was the man who. had been at °
once her dupe and her master. As Blair bent over to
raise her, he fell back shuddering, for he saw that.she
was dead! At the same instant the white hand of the
man lying at her feet dropped lifelessly and slid away.
Blair, who had been about to strike bim, saw a small
vial lying at his feet. .
Small as it was, it had contained sufficient poison for
Austin Ambrose, It was the vial he had carried in his