TO

FRANCIS CARR BEARD


(FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND),

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE TIME WHEN

THE CLOSING SCENES OF THIS STORY WERE WRITTEN.




NO NAME.




THE FIRST SCENE.

COMBE-RAVEN, SOMERSETSHIRE.



CHAPTER I.

THE hands on the hall-clock pointed to half-past six in the morning. The