was told that the doctor from Reigate had just arrived, and that
the constable had come up half an hour before. He at once went down
to the library, into which the doctor had been shown.

"You have heard what has happened," he said, as he shook hands
silently. "I expect Sir Charles Harris here in half an hour. I
suppose you will not go up till then?"

"No, I think it will be best that no one should go in until he comes.
I have been speaking to Simeox; he was going in, but I told him I
thought it was better to wait. I may as well take the opportunity
of going upstairs to see Mr. Bastow. I hear that he fainted when
he heard the news, and that he is completely prostrate."

"Two such shocks might well prove fatal to him," Mark said; "he
has been weak and ailing for some time."

"Two shocks?" the doctor repeated interrogatively.

"Ah, I forgot you had not heard about the affair yesterday evening:
a man fired at us through the window when we were sitting round
the fire, before the candles were lit. The ball passed between my
father's head and Mr. Bastow's; both had a narrow escape; the bullet
is imbedded in the mantelpiece. I will have it cut out; it may be
a useful item of evidence some day."

"But what could have been the man's motive? Your father was
universally popular."

"Except with ill doers," Mark said. "I ran out and chased the