'It is a very extraordinary business,' he said; 'but I cannot
imagine that Mrs. Darrell would be capable of such a hideous crime.
What motive could she have for such an act?'

'I do not feel justified in speaking quite plainly upon that
subject, Mr. Hale; but I have reason to know that Mrs. Darrell has a
very bitter feeling about her stepdaughter.'

'I cannot think the thing you suspect possible. However, the
medicine shall be analysed; and we will take all precautions for the
future. I will send you another bottle immediately, in a sealed
packet. You will take notice that the seal is unbroken before you
use the medicine.'

He showed me his crest on a seal at the end of his pencil-case, and
then departed. The medicine came a quarter of an hour later in a
sealed packet. This time I brought the bottle into the sick-room,
and placed it on the mantelpiece, where it was impossible for any
one to touch it.

When Mr. Hale came for his second visit, there was a grave and
anxious look in his face. He was very well satisfied with the
appearance of the patient, however, and pronounced that there was a
change for the better--slight, of course, but quite as much as could
be expected in so short a time. He beckoned me out of the room, and
I went down-stairs with him, leaving Susan Dodd with Milly.

'I am going to speak to Mrs. Darrell, and you had better come with
me,' he said.