they were always for sick or suffering children--"

"Yes, yes; they came from her, I have no doubt of it. She was by
no means poor, though I myself never knew the extent of her means
till lately. Philemon was a good business man once; but they
evidently preferred to live simply, having no children living--"

"They have lost six, I have been told."

"So the Portchester folks say. They probably had no heart for
display or for even the simplest luxuries. At all events, they did
not indulge in them."

"Philemon has long been past indulging in anything."

"Oh, he likes his comfort, and he has had it too. Agatha never
stinted him."

"But why do you think her death was due to her having money?"

"She had a large sum in the house, and there are those in town who
knew this."

"And is it gone?"

"That we shall know later."

As the coroner arrived at this moment, the minister's curiosity
had to wait. Fortunately for his equanimity, no one had the
presumption to ask him to leave the room.