Denbighshire Free Press

[ALL 1UGHTS RESERVED.] TIIE CAULDERS OF CAXBOROUGH. By FIIED WHISHAW, JAuthor of "A Lost Army," "The Emperor'l i Englishman," "The White Witch," "Ifee Hlghnes," "Moscow," &c. CHAPTER IV. Veroniqiwi." said Mrs. Caulder. entering. this is my brother Jack, of whom you have li'-ard me speak so oftt,ii-Dr. Honiertoii. Jack, let me present you to my great friend, Miss Gibson." Homerton had scarcely so much as glanced at Yeronique when the two women entered the room. His whole attention was concen- trated upon his sister and Dr. Gibson. He was anxious to see whether he could detect any sort of a glance between them which would throw even a pale gleam of light upon the situation. He saw that Gibson's eyes sought those of Beatrice, and intensified as they met hers, but he failed to discover any- thing in his sister's face which seemed to be- ) tray the slightest embarrassment or any other I. emotion. When lie looked at Veronique in order to make the bow demanded by courtesy m re- sponse to bis sister's introduction, he saw be- fore him an extremely pretty girl, who ex- tended her hand in a friendly manner. Homerton did not fee] in the least friendly, though he felt bound to respond by shaking the proffered hand and saying something con- ventionally polite, lie had no intention of bein, cordial and friendly with these Gibsons. his sister's friends. That which he had heard beforc meeting the doctor had prejudiced him against the family. His interview with Gibson had done nothing to remove the hostile feel- ing vi-hn-h prejudice had already implanted -in his mind against him he had not approved of the look of the man or of his manner of speaking. As for Yeronique, he resented the idea of the doctor's sister being Beatrice's confidential friend. If there actually existed any foundation for the whisperings of an in- cipient scandal which had reached him in India, then the friendship between the two women wa-s an undesirable if not a dan- gerous one. 1 Consequently Homerton had been quite prepared to dislike and disapprove of Yeron- ique Gibson. He had made up his mind not ■only to ignore her himself, but to persuade Beatrice, if he could, to abandon, by degrees, ft friendship which could do her no good and might do her much harm. But when he looked at Yeronique he felt bound to admit that her face, unlike her brother's, was undeniably a pleasant and charming face. T)r. Gibson was a good-look- ing man, but there was that in his expression which repelled Homerton. Veronique was pretty and more her expression was attrac- tive and charming. It would be difficult to believe that the owner of such a face as Veroniqnc's could be double or designing, or, indeed, i-oitkl possess any of those disagree .able qualities with which Homertcu had in imagination endowed her. So far as looks are concerned, she is not the kind of woman I expected to see This • yras Jack Homerton's first impression. "All the more excuse for poor Beatrice, if her face bebs her character." Dr. Gibson. in spite of the many patients suffering from measles who were doubtless anxiously awaiting .his arrival, stayed for a ,ouarter of an hour after the arrival of the two ladies. He sat chatting with Beatrice in one corner of the study, while Yeronique took possession of Homerton and engaged him in animated conversation in another. Homerton was anxious to watch, so far as he could do so unobserved, the attitude of Beatrice and Gibson towards one another. He found it difficult to do this, for Vcroniqve's conversation was interesting and attractive. d more absorbing to than he had expected. He did. however, M'C- .ceed in devoting a glance or two. from time to time, to the opposite couple. They con- versed in subdued tones, and Komerton could not fail to observe that Gibson's expression, when listening or speaking to Beatrice, deepened into a look of intensity which sug- gested the face of a devotee gazing upon the features of an ikoned saint. j The spectacle disturbed him. and he be l came unable to concentrate his attention upon his companion. Yeronique would, perhaps, Sel him down as stupid or rude, but, if sa, he could not help it. She certainly observed that his attention wandered; she grew less ani- mated. and a shade of regret or disappoint- ment or some kindred emotion passed over his face. Possibly she discerned the cause of his per- turbation. Homerton noticed that she grew less animated, and was well aware that his inattention had been noticed by her. Fo hoped that she realised the cause of it. f should like her to know from the first that I see and disapprove of her brother's in- timacy with Beatrice," lie reflected. "If it makes her think, so much the better. The <latigev ffi-n never yet have occurred to her." Jack Homerton was at least giving ¡ Veroniqne credit for more innocence in this matter than he had intended to accord feer. He had set her down, in imagination, as an acting partner of her brother's—always sup- posing that the general gossip of the town was based upon substantial foundation, and that the elements of a scandal actually -Now he was already admitting the possibility that Veroniqne at least was inno- cent—unaware that indiscretion was being committed under her very eyes by those I dearest to her. The impression left upon Homerton by V eronique. when she and her brother had de- | parted, was distinctly a pleasant one. He was obliged to admit this, in spite of himself. He was obliged to admit it when Beatrice, scarcely waiting for thfl door to close upon Gibson and his sister, put the question to him. Well." she asked, what do ycu think of "Veroniqne. Jack? I am dying to know. "Honestly now. isn't she one of the prettiest sand sweetest girls you ever saw in your life? Jack Homerton laughed. You expect too much all at once." he said. "I have only fieen her for a few minutes. She is pretty, of course, no one could fail to think that; as for s all the delightful qualities you expect m.e to ■discern at first sight. I'm afraid I can't be •equally certain. I daresay she is ?dl vou sav. 13he seems nice." I Frr«?>• riirrf Oh. Jack, and I did so wish yon to be impressed She is absolutely charm- ing; she is thoughtful and sympathetic, and affectionate, and- Á "Oh. come," Jack laughed, "you couldn't "expect me to see all these things. She could I scarcely, with propriety, betray her capacity for sympathy and affection upon so very short an acquaintance. As for her thouglitfnlness, there was not much opportunity of judging; there was not much opportunity of judging; .she. veiled her thoughts in much light cor.ver- » sation, to which I only slightly attended. I \.fear." Worse and worse Beatrice laughed. I am disappointed. Jack. I always considered you a lady's man at least, you are always nt- tentive and nice with them. Perhaps you mean that you were so absorbed in contem- plation of her beauty that you had no atten- tion to spare for anything else." On the contrary, I had too much atten- tion to spare for something else, and had very little for her, I fancy." Homerton replied, making a show of speaking as jocularly as his •sister. He was. however, feeling his way to- wards a change in the conversation which might prove far enough removed from jocu- larity. Beatrice looked surprised. How un- gallant she said, still smiling. "With Veroniqne at your side, who or what else in the room could have engaged your atten- tion? Make a guess." said Homerton, temporis- ing. "I am not conceited enough to suppose that your own sister could be an object of absorbing interest to you. You could scarcely hear our conversation, I suppose, and if you had it would not have interested you. No. I give it up. Jack. You were occupied with your own thoughts." — Partly, yes as a matter of fact, Beatrice, «• was absorbed in you and your companion." "How fi.tteringll" exclaimed Beatrice, laughing merrily, but blushing nevertheless. Of course. I did not listen to your conver- sation," Jack added, awkwardly.* Dr. Gib- eon is a good-looking man." Do you think s07 I know some people do. Personally, I think Yeronique monopolises all the good looks of the family, though I like her brother's face." You seem to be intimate friends. You'll have to look out, Beatrice. He is said to be an attractive man. this Gibson." Who says so? Homerton flushed. I have been told no. Stephen told me you were upon terms of in- timacy with the family." Was it lie told you that Dr. Gibson is an attractive man?" I really cannot say. 1-" Beatrice sat down close to her brother. Jack, am I being submitted to a kind of examination? You look so preternaturally sol.emn. and-well. so embarrassed. Let us speak plainly to one another. Have you come here because you have heard rumours that I have fallen in love. with Dr. Gibson? Jack Homerton was startled and much em- iNo, not exactly that," he re- plied. Since you desire plain speaking. Beatrice. I may tell you that I have heard certain rumours, and that I have felt a cer- tain amount of anxiety. I have never heard that you are in love with Dr. Gibson. I sincerely trust that you are not. and that there is no dancer of such a thine." 'I Of course not, Jack. Dismiss from your mind the very idea of such a catastrophe." Yerv well. I will take your word for it. You will not be offended if I make a sugges- tion?" T I will not be offended by nnything you say. Jack, of course. I may be hurt, though, if you are not careful." I will be most careful. I hinted just now that my attention was absorbed by something other than the conversation of Miss Yero- nique; I was looking at Gibson's face as he conversed with you. That man is in love with you, Beatrice; I have not the smallest doubt of it. I suggest that the position is a dangerous one." Beatrice was silent for a few minutes. "Even if that were so," she began, "which, of course, I don't know Beatrice, forgive me if I speak plainly, but really the situation demands it-is it pos- | sible that you do not. know? He has not actually told me. Of course, one—one does sometimes suspect there may be something of the sort. I should not allow him to tell me such a thing." Y\ ould it not be safer, then, to put an end to a friendship which is so dangerous? But why dangerous? I like the man and I am sorry for him. Of course, I do not en- courage him. I really don't see that there is any danger in the situation, Jack." As I have begun by plain speaking, and you have not objected. I will venture a little more. You are married to a man very much older than yourself. Beatrice—oh. ves. I know you are very fond of him, and perfectly innocent of the least suspicion of disloyalty to your husband, but poor Stephen is just at present the victim of a habit which must, by degrees, alienate him more and more from you, unless, of course, we are able to arrest it in time add to this that the brother of your best friend is constantly in the house, and makes no secret of the fact that, he has fallen in love with you; add. further, that you like the man and are sorry for him. Do you not realise that the position is a dan- gerous one? Not exactly dangerous. I am mistress oi myself, Jack. I am not conscious of any danger. He is; as you say, Veronique's brother, and I should not like to give Veronique pain by quarrelling with him. Per- haps I might convey a hint to her as to rumours which silly people are spreading about us. Even you have heard them, it seems." I don't think what you suggest would quite meet the situation, Beatrice. I should recommend something more drastic, some- thing which would put an end both to the rumours—which do not seriously matter—and to the possibility of certain harmful results to yourself, which would matter very much in- deed. By the bye, has not Miss Veronique remarked upon her brother's rather obvious admiration for yourself? I suppose she knows he likes me." No--iiD we are speaking plainly, Beatrice. Has she never hinted to you that her brother has fallen in love with you? Beatrice blushed crimson. "Certainly not; never once. She would not suspect it. If she did she would not think it necessary to warn me, she has more confidence in my good sense than you seem to have." Don't misunderstand me. Beatrice. You have not yet h4f&rd my suggestion. I scarcely know whether I dare to make it; you are shewing signs of taking offence." "Well, I will listen to what you have to say, though I will not bind myself to agree with you. You are a newcomer, you see, Jack, and are. as it were. taking a hand in the middle of a game which we have played a long while, and with all the moves of which we are very familiar." At the same time, the man who stands and watches outside gets a better birds'-eye view of the game than the players themselves. Well, here is my suggestion. I am not satis- fied with Stephen's condition of health, and for this I consider his medical man respons- ible. at least, in part. Further. I do not ap- prove of the relations between you and Gib- son, or, rather. I should say, I do not approve of Gibson's attitude towards your- self, and. therefore. I suggest that the wiser course from every point of view would be. to put it shortly, to get rid of Gibson and try another doctor." Beatrice flushed hotly. "I entirely dis- agree," she said. "I am sorry to seem ob- stinate and so on, Jack, but I really cannot consent to such a thing; it would offend Veronique, who is practically my only great friend, and it would hurt Dr. Gibson's feel- .ings most cruelly. Besides. Stephen trusts Dr. Gibson and is very fond of him. He, too, would never agree." Homerton shrugged his shoulders. Very well," he said. Let things go on as they are for a while, if you prefer it, but I warn you that you are standing on the edge of a preci- pice." At any rate, I hare my eves wide open," said Beatrice. Ihere is no danger, Jack!" t CHAPTER V. On consideration of the position of affairs as seen by him upon his first day at Cax- borough. Jack Homerton decided that it might be as well if. after all, h e accepted his sister's invitation and took up his quarters at the Manor. Stephen Caulder would, he knew, for obvious reasons, object very strongly to his presence there, for he would be well aware that his brother-in-law camo with the deliberate intention of standing between him and his indulgence in the littl,e murderous tabloids which were rapidly be- coming the be-all and end-all of his existence. But Beatrice was firm upon the point. "You must put up with his presence in the house, Stephen," she said, for my sake. He is my brother, and, as you know, I am fond of him, and have seen very little of him for years. You used to like him I have no personal objection to mm now. But he's going to interfere between me and Gibson. Gibson is a good friend to me, and I won't have him offended. I will warn Jack, and perhaps he will not interfere. Don't refuse to let me have him in the house, Stephen it will be a comfort to me to have him near. What with you being I ill, and so on, I want a little consolation." Stephen grudgingly agreed to his wife s re- quest, and Jack Honjerton duly took up his quarters at the Manor. Upon one of the first days of his presence there he paid a visit to the chief chemist of the little town. To that interested tradesman he introduced himself as a member of the Indian Army Medical Department and as brother-in-law to Mr. Caulder. "I think you supply my brother-in-law j with drugs?" he asked. ) The chemist admitted that this was so. I j do not enjoy a monopoly of Mr. Caulder's custom," he said. There are two others who have a share of his orders—Turner's, in Fore-street, and the drug stores, in High- streeL." tTy brotner-In-Iaw is obliged to take a certain quantity of morphia in the form of tabloids; may I ask whether he has these lipon a doctor's prescription? Invariably." Could I be allowed to see the prescrip- tions? The chemist shook his head dubiously. We could not very well do that, in any case." he said. But Air. Caulder always in- sists upon having his prescriptions returned with his medicines." Homerton failed to elicit any further iiifor- mation from this man. He proceeded to the drug stores and put the same questions, re- ceiving similar replies. "The drug is supplied under prescription, duly signed by a doctor?" he asked. Of course. The prescriptions are always returned." "I-lave von anv theorv as to wliv l\fr. Caulder likes to have them returned? He must know that you are sure to copy them imM your own book." The chemist smiled. Mr. Caulder takes a good deal of opium, in one form or another, he said. As a medical man you are aware that persons given over to the drug habit develop considerable—well, subtlety, let us call it, in obtaining supplies." Yes; I have seen much of the opium habit in the East. Mr. Caulder, however, as you tell me, invariably uses prescriptions signed by a doctor." Well—yes." The chemist looked pro- found. but volunteered no further explana- tion of the meaning of his last utterance. Perhaps the doctors in this town are not in the habit of dating their prescriptions?" Homerton suggested. The chemist laughed. They could scarcely omit the date; for many reasons that would not do." But a subtle patient desirous of obtain- ing a second supply upon the same prescrip- tion might perhaps alter the date?" The chemist winced a little, then smiled sweetly. He co. Id scarcely do that. unless the prescription happened to be written in pencil," he said. Is that ever done? Occasionally. I should say it is of rare occurrence." I see," said Homerton. One or two ac- cidents of that description might afford a cunning patient opportunity for manufactur- ing quite a number of repeat orders out of one or two prescriptions." "Oh, I do not suggest anything of the kind." said the chemist. "You must not mis- understand me." Of course not. Thank you for your in- formation. I think I shall know how to pro- ceed." You will not forget that I have broken no confidences as between this establishment and the doctors of this town, who are our patrons? "Certainly; there is no question of the doctor, but only of the patient. There will be no need to interfere between patient and doctor or doctor and chemist, but only between patient and indiarubber." _I The chemist laughed and rubbed his hands. I think you have just about exactly hit the mark, sir," he said. Xionierton took his sister aside when ho reached home after this interview. "Beatrice," he said, give me five minutes; it is a matter of great importance." z;1 "You are not going to rel)kat ilotir sugges- tion to make a change of doctors. Jack ? I have already said that-" X o. no. You have decided to continue as you are. For the present I shall not inter- fere. I do not promise that if I see any serious need for interference I shall not refer to the subject again, but at present I shall say nothing." Very well, speak on, then." It is about Stephen. Do you admit that, .whether by the doctor's permission or no, he contrives, possibly, to obtain possession of too much opium? Of course I do. It is not Dr. Gibson's fault. Jack. Dr. Gibson-" I am not blaming the doctor. Gibson cannot knock off the drug all at once, the shock would be most dangerous to his patient. Dr. Gibson writes a prescription occasionally, I suppose, and the drug is procured. When Stephen has the tabloids in his possession he naturally swallows them when he feels the need of them, and the boxful procured by the doctor's prescription goes very quickly. Are we agreed so far? Yes; but Stephen will never submit to v having a professional nurse in the place. Dr. Gibson never wearies of warning him that the allowance of tabloids must not be exceeded; I the prescription must last a certain number of days." And does it? Beatrice dropped her eyes. "I'm afraid not," she murmured; "a boxful disappears very, very quickly sometimes." Yes and then? I suppose it's useless to pretend I don't fcn'ow," Beatrice said. He is very cunning, Jack. Dr. Gibson says they—people afflicted like poor St.ephcn-always become so. I don't know how lie does it, nor does Dr. Gibson, but be does contrive to obtain supplies over and above what is allowed him by prescrip- tion. I have scolded him as much as 1 dare, but sometimes he sends me out, upon some plea or another, and I suppose it is then that he takes whatever steps he is accustomed to take in order to secure more of the drug. Perhaps he has an agent in the town who is able to get it for him. I only know Jiat lie gets it. and that I am very, very miserable about it, and so is Dr. Gibson.' Beatrice spoke with tears in her eyes. "Poor Beatrice!" said Homerton. 1 know you are fond of your husband, and will do all in your power to help me—and Dr. Gib- sOll-in bringing him back to his right mind. I think I can suggest how he contrives to secure larger supplies of the drug than he is supposed to obtain." Oh, Jack, you are eleven indeed if you can. Neither the doctor, nor I. nor Yero- nique. nor anyone of the household has been able to hit upon a clue to the mystery." I think I have found the clue. Can you let me see the prescriptions? Perhaps they are returned by the chemists. I have reason to think they are." "Yes, that is so. Dr. Gibson likes to be able to check them, and their dates, and the amounts, and so oil it is safer, he thinks, to have them before him whenever he makes a new one." "I see. Where are they? "In the writing-table in the study." "An open desk, accessible to Stephen?" It is his own room and his own desk. You can see the prescriptions if you like. I don't suppose Dr. Gibson would object." "'Why should he? I shall not call his pre- scriptions in question." Homerton accompanied his sister to the study, where she produced a small file of pre- scriptions. Jack went carefully through these. Each was dated at the regular interval of two or three days after its predecessor. Two or three were written in pencil, date and all, the rest in ink. Homerton very carefully examined the writing of the dates to those prescriptions which had been made out in pencil. He ob- served undoubted signs of the use of india- rubber but though the correct date had been carefully rewritten in in each cafe, there was no doubt whatever that each date-space had been smudged over more than once with the eraser. Jack handed the file over to his sister. "Have a careful look through these and see whether you can detect anything." he said. Beatrice, ignorant of what o she was in- tended to look for, failed to discover any- thing. Her brother shewed her three or four prescriptions—those written in pencil. Look carefully at the date spaces," he suggested. Beatrice did so. The dates are all in their proper sequence," she said. Is that all you see? Are the dates in Dr. Gibson's writing? Beatrice compared the figures with those upon other prescriptions. Her colour deep- ened a little. "I see what you mean," she murmured. They are almost exactly copied, but there is a difference. You suggest that he has used these four prescriptions more than once?" "Probably very much more than once. Each time that he pencils iu a date he is able xo pmctrre a new srrpmy. Vhen he I:s got it he rubs out the new elate and again writes in f the old one. When he requires a furl her supply of the drug he has only to repeat the process. It is Jtok, how glad I am you came How clever of you Oh. how grateful I am It is so simple yet it never occurred to me. Nor to Dr. Gibson? Beatrice winced. Do you blame him, Jack? Of course, he might have found out. just as you have done, but is it fair to blame him because a certain simple thing did not happen to occur to him?" But I am not blaming him. Now for the sequel to my discovery. There are two tilings I to be done. Beatrice, with regard to this matter, and it must fall to you to do both of them. First, you must see that Stephen's indiarubber is lost." "He will get another piece." replied Beatrice, smiling ruefully. "That would be of no use." "Yery well. then, we will remove these four prescriptions. The second thing yon must do is to ask Dr. Gibson—when you have ex- plained our discovery to him—to be careful to write no more prescriptions in pencil." Beatrice remained silent for a moment. She seemed almost to cease breathing for an in- stant. as though some idea had occurred io her so startling that it arrested the action of her heart or lungs. She gazed with a frightened look into her brother's eyes. Homerton made no sign. I hope she began. I am sure I hope she began. I am sure Then she paused again. y,es, I will tell him," she said at last. It was an unfortu- nate accident that he should have used a, pencil. I remember one occasion. Jack, :t was an absolute accident. Dr. Gibson had lost his stylo pen. one he always carries for writing prescriptions, and Stephen himself suggested tlitt he. sliotild ti." i I s,ee." said .J ae-k. Not a muscle of his face betraved to the anxious eyes watching him there had been more behind the words lie had u d than appeared on the surface. CHAPTER VI. When Dr. Gibson visited his patient the same afternoon he found him in a bad humour. His wife had sat by his bedside one half the morning and Homerton the other half. "Vhnt the deuce do they want with me. doetor" he said, pettishly. "I can stand my wife. of course, I like her to be with me, but I won't have Homerton messing about tiie place. Warn him off; tell him its bad for me to be worried. What does he want? He wants to see how much drug vou con- sume—partly a mere scientific interest, per- I haps; but he is anxious you should not con- cume too mueh--alld he's quite right, of course." Quite right? The deuce he is I shall tell him straight, if you dare not. that I won't have him interfering with me. I am quite satisfied with your treatment. 1 don't need be I have often told you you would be better for having a trained nurse. If you don't like your brother-in-law sitting in vrmr mom -0 .L.1' r I not get up? He could not well be constantly at your elbovs if you used your study instead of lying here all day." I don t know that I have the energy. But why my wife must needs insist upon her brother living in the house is more than I can -) e I c,, a understand. Get rid of him for r doctor; teli Beatrice his presence is bad for me, and gets on my nerves." As Gibson was leaving his patient's room, Beatrice met him and asked him to spare b.er a few minutes for private consultation. When Gibson left the studv five minutes later his face was not a pleasant spectacle. He looked white and haggard, and was obviously in a condition of agitation. Beatrice came to the door and looked after him with some concern. "Poor man." she him with some concern. "Poor she murmured, how terribly it upset him. I had no idea he would feel it so much." A moment later she added: "Jack will have to acknowledge, at any rate. that he was abso- lutely innocent of design in writing those pre- scriptions in pencil. I never saw anvone so upset as he Al- when I suggested to him what he had done. and the consequences Beatrice told her brother all about her .nter\ieu with Gibson, and what passed tliere- at. You would have been convinced at once." she said, "if you had seen him. that he jiad had no arriere peusee in using pencil." But. good gracious. Beatrice. I never sug- gested design on his part," Jack protested. No, of course; I know you didn't. I sup- pose the fact is. I jumped to the conclusion you shewed me. at your first meeting, that you disliked the poor man. and I have credited you with the worse possible opinion of liim." Homerton did not pursue tiie subject. Naturally he would be upset." he said. to realise that he has done a thoughtless thing, ancf that evil results would probably spring from it." i s He felt. nevertheless, when lie retired to bed that night that he had done a good day's work. He was frightened." he reSected-- and that is good evidence." On the day following Jack Iiomerton's dis- covery, Stephen Caulder informed his vsife that he intended to get up for lunch. "Much as I love your brother." he said, I can't stand him 'passing his afternoons by my bedside. I'm not such an idiot, Beatrice, as to be unaware of his motive in sitting there; he thinks he will prevent me taking any medicine when I feel that I re- j quire it. These doctors go upon general rules, whereas each man's body is unlike another's; mine need. n certain amount of a certain kind of drug; without it I am not well and not comfortable. It Homerton thinks I shall not cousunie as much as I need—under I my doctor's orders, mind you—because he thinks he knows better than Gibson, lie will have to be disappointed I took it before his very eyes yesterday, and I shall continue to do so." Beatrice said nothing; she sighed and turned away. "Don't sigh and looik sad, lovie." said Caulder. I'm all right. I like Homerton, but he mustn't try to manage me. that's all. Does he think I'm going to die? "Stephen, don't murmured Beatrice. Jack would do everything in the world to save your life; so would I-I am sure you know that." Of course I do. lovie but the trouble is that whereas vou and Jack both believe that I shall one day die of the drug, the real truth is that I should die if I u0^ it. Gibson will tell you tne same thing. It has become a habit, and cannot be broken off. It can by degress. Stephen you know that the doctor agrees as to that." "But; only very.very gradually, and by the minutest possible degrees. Perhaps I am taking just a tiny bit less—who knows? A little later in the day Stephen Caulder rose and dressed himself and went into the study. Closing the door behind him, he went straight to the writing-desk. Here he opened a drawer and produced a file of prescriptions. -,i,-i,NN-er iii(I p a (7 With trembling hands, and eyes which from time to time furtively sought tiie door, as though he feared interruption, he turned over one paper after another. Gradually a frown settled itself upon his forehead; he stared at the file. and sat motionless for a moments, then he carefully and laboriously looked through each paper a second time. Good heavens he suddenly exclaimed, what can it mean? He tottered to the bell and rang it. A ser- vant answered the summons and was shocked to see her master's face. Looked like a dead man come to life in 'is coffin," she in- formed her peers presently, in the servants hall. His eyes were just awful to see." Caulder stared at the servant as though his eyes failed to recognise who had entered. "Is it Bridget? It's Bridget I want." he said. Bridget was sent to him. She found her master going over his file of prescriptions for I the third or fourth time. "You've been Pampering with these papers," he exekdmed, savagely; "there are four of them gone—the four I wanted most." Bridget was positive that she had not touched the file. I gave the last back to you. sir, only yesterday. after I'd been to the drug stores. I put it back in its proper place, afterjaringing J'Qtl the stuff." -rrrcn yrm torrr your m,strcss-or she saw r you at the desk." I don't think Mrs. Caulder coulcl 'avo. sir. I took care the door was closed behind me, and there was no one in the saw me come out. neither." "WeH—go. then. Send your mistress to me when she comes in. Where is she? "Drivin' out with Mr. Homerton. sir." "Weill. stop n minute." Caulder sat a moment poring over his pre- scriptions. He took one out. and with a pen endeavoured to make some alteration in the date. "Here. take this to the drug stor-'s." I be said. If the chemist says anything about the date being altered, say your mis- tress told you it was all right, tl:at the doctor made a mistake in writing it and changed it afterwards. Be back in half-an-hour, and there'll be half-a-iovereign for you." Bridget took the prescription and left the room. The chemist looked at the prescription. He mentioned that the date had been altered, and Bridget explained the matter as per in- structions. The man looked dubious, but pre- sently handed a little box of tabloids over the counter. You're a good girl. Bridget. said Caul- I der. taking the precious box in his hands. which shook with eagerness. "Here's -,our half-sovereign. Was there anv trouble" "None whatever." said bridget. "Ha asikeci who changed it. and I gave your message- "Ys. the doctor nivai- I fotiiid out his mistake, so I had to make the altera- tion myself; that's how it was. Bridget., vou see. One can't explain this kind of thing to these chemist fellows, they're so particular, and I couldn't do without mv medicine till to-marrow-rhat's where the trouble was. You're sure you haven't touched those papers? Bridget was certain. She wondered as she '7' left the room why her master should take such a lot of trouble and spend so much money in order to obtain more pills than the doctor wished him to take. Beatrice found her husband elated and exalted in spirit. He had partaken greedilv of his new supply of tabloids, and his brain was. for the moment, clear. Beatrice .knew well what this signified. She was surprised, because she happened to be aware that his allowance for the day had been consumed ill the morning, and she ha-1 noticed that there were no tabloids reman e in the box from which he drew his authorised supplies. Stephen, you have been at the (I ril,, she said at once. You promised mo thnt-" My love, you grow more and more sus- picious." Caulder laughed. You know very well I can't have more than the doctor allows me. and that' it would make me very ill to have less." "I saw you take the last tabloids ibis morning—there were none left in the box." Caulder winced. You must have madr- I mistake, love." lie said. "I have a full or nearly full—stop—yes. of c-OK.rse. I know You saw me finishing my last supply; I sup- pose I got behind with a dose or two—vou didn't know I had another boxful waiting for me." Beatrice sighed and turned awav. Stephen, I do—(Jo wish." she began, and oaused- Caulder looked after her. the furtive ex- pression in his face vanished, and in its I place came one of pain and haggard mis/-v "Darling. I he murmured. "I what you wish—-it's too late-I can't do it." Try, for my sake. I cannot bear to I you in this state." I will try—I do try—but it is so difficult. Unless I have the cursed stuff I feel utterly niiserable-ill-d(-jeet,ecl. as though I must have it or die. What am I to dot "At least do not cheat me bv obtaiiiiiig secret supplies and pretending that you have not done so-no. Stephen, do not deny it; I I had not suspected it until to-dav. but this I afternoon Caulder's face at the beginning of his v.-ife's speech had begun to assume once more the expression of furtiveness which had be- come natural to it whenever the subject of his drug supply was touched upon. As she con- tinued the expression changed again, but this time to one of anger. It's that confounded brother of vours." he suddenly interrupted. "He has been poisoning your mind against me. Beatrice. What has he said—what has he done? You shall remember that I am master here. and will be obeyed; if I say he shall not remain !I(- shall go." Stephen exclaimed his wife. her eyes full of tears. How you have changed Yon used never to speak to iie like this. Of course. Jack shall not stay in the house if you v.ould rather not have him; but his being here is the greatest comfort to me; vou used to think of my happiness quite as much as of you own "I do now, Beatrice. I do -oefore I Heaven, it is true. If you must have Homer- ton. you shall. I am sorry I spoke unkindly, but his interference with me rouses me to fury." Listen. Stephen don't he angry. I thank Lea\en that Jack came wtmn he did; it is througli liim that I have discovered to-day that you are taking far more of N .our horrible morphia than we had suspected—no. don't speak and don't be angry. 1 am determined to say what I have to say. You poor dear old' man, are you so helpless a slave to the drug that you must deceive your own wife, who loves I you. in order to obtain a little more of the poison which is forming and daily widening a gap between us? 0 Beatrice, don't work on my feelings—yon don't know—all I know." Caulder's voice was broken, and he spoke in sobs. My nerves have gone to the deuce, and I can't bear to hear you talk so. I am no good to you. I know that; the sooner this horrid drug is allowed to carry me off the better for all parties-" All parties? What do you mean. Stephen? It would be infinitely worse for me if you should grow more ill instead of better I shall not' allow you to grow worse it is possible to redeem an opium-eater, and you shall be saved in suite of yourself. Jack found out your fraud, you poor dear old man—oh I don't blame you. it is the drug that has changed you; you shall learn to look upon it as your greatest enemy, as it is mine, and together we will fight against it. liand-in- hand." Stephen Caulder. unstrung and hysterical, was frankly sobbing. I'm afraid it's no use, Beatrice." he murmured. "At the moment I feel penitent and ashamed of having deceived you. and determined to turn over a now leaf but I often feel thus, and know that in half- an-hour. or an hour, or two hours the feeling of craving will come on and I shall be as mad as ever, ready to do the meanest action in order to obtain an extra supply of the poison which is ruining me. Give me up. and let me go—I am worthless you are young, and there mav be years and years of happiness for vou. I Stephen, how rlore you say such things? p Whether or no there are years of happiness before me depends upon yourself. I am your wife, and your welfare is mv first thought. Jack's discovery has brought home to me the truth I have neglected you and allowed you to be too much alone i am going to nurse you and watch you- Caulder's face fell, and he winced a little. Stay." he said. What' did Homerton dis- cover? That several of the prescriptions were written in pencil, and that you had constantly redatecl them in order to present to the I chemist an apparently new prescription. Of course. I do not blame you, Stephen, nor does Jack; it is the natural consequence of 1 drug-poisoning, that the patient craves for more and more. that he will perform any act of deceit in order to satisfy his craving. How did you obtain a new supply to-day? The question seemed to come upon Caulder with startling force and effect; he trembled and paled, and his hands fidgeted with his watchchain. i "What new supply?" he muttered. "I told you. Beatrice told you. Beatrice Stephen, think of what we have said we have agreed to fight ha-nd-in-hand against the common enemy. Tell me-for Heaven's sake, dear, do not try to deceive me again—tell me how you obtained the drug?" Caulder looked this way and that chansins expressions fritted over his lace-iiiiniyig, finger, wretchedness. Suddenly a death-like pallor over his features. I am not well. Beatrice." he muttered. Give me- I give ine the little box-it is in the drawer." b "No. Stephen," she replied, firmly. "You I shall not have it." "I iniist I must. Don't be a fool, Bentrief,-N-ou don't know-" "I do know; we are fighting. Stephen, we are fighting hand-in-hand, remember. Come awav Caulder made a grab at the drawer-handle, but fell forward over the desk; at the came moment the door opened and Jack Homerton entered the room. (Tú be continued.)