"There was something said about a stolen will, which Sir Ralph wanted to
enquire about, or something of that sort, and I am in great haste."

"Stay one moment. Did you say Sir Ralph was not expected to live?"

"The doctors said he could not last more than a few hours."

By this time she had recovered her presence of mind. "Mr. Russell," she
said, "was here this morning, but has returned to Southampton; you must
have passed him on your way here; return my good fellow as quickly as
you can, and let him know all that you have told me." She gave him a
sovereign and said, "I will be there almost as soon as yourself."

The man took the coin with a bow, and started for the railway station,
and Mrs. Fraudhurst returned to the house, where she well knew Mr.
Russell then was settling home matters with the steward. She went
directly to her own apartment to form plans of immediate action. "Arthur
is in England, Sir Ralph dying, the will found in his possession; he has
made a confession of the whole, implicating me; he must have done so, or
how could that messenger have heard of the stolen will. Idiot that I
was, to trust it out of my own keeping. My only safety is in instant
flight. I must place the wide waste of waters between me and the
consequences that must inevitably await me should I remain here after
the disclosure becomes known throughout the country." She then
commenced to pack up her wardrobe and valuables. Her plan was soon
arranged. She then descended to the drawing room and rang for old
Reynolds, who answered the summons. "Has Mr. Russell left the house?"
she enquired, and on receiving an answer in the negative, desired that
he might be informed that she wished to speak to him, "and return
yourself, Reynolds, for I have something of importance to communicate to