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There in the corner formed by the angle of nave and transept, on a broad pavement of flagstones, lay the body of a man crumpled up in a curiously twisted position. And with one glance, even before he reached it, Bryce knew what body it was that of the man who had come, shyly and furtively, to Ransford's door. "Look!" exclaimed Varner, suddenly pointing. "He's stirring!"
And as he fell, Folliot, scarcely looking at what he had done, drew his other hand from his pocket, slipped something into his mouth and sat down in the big chair behind him ... and within a moment the other men in the room were looking with horrified faces from one dead face to another. When Bryce had left her, Mary Bewery had gone into the house to await Ransford's return from town.
Do you know if Ransford and Braden did meet that morning?" "Not at Ransford's house, anyway," answered Bryce promptly. "I can prove that. But since this rumour has got out, I'll tell you what I do know, and what the truth is. Braden did come to Ransford's not to the house, but to the surgery. He didn't see Ransford Ransford had gone out, across the Close. Braden saw me!" "Bless me!
"Of course, that's how these tales get about. However, there's more than that in the air." The two listeners behind the curtains glanced at each other. Ransford's glance showed that he was already chafing at the unpleasantness of his position but Mary's only betokened apprehension.
And he was not mistaken now Ransford's face bore all the signs of infinite relief. From what? Bryce turned, to leave the stuffy, rapidly-emptying court.
"Oh, well!" said Sackville, who was incapable of perceiving a sneer or of knowing when older men were laughing at him. "It's one of those things that one's got to do under the circumstances. Of course, Miss Bewery isn't Dr. Ransford's daughter, but she's his ward, and we can't allow suspicion to rest on her guardian. You leave it to me, my boy, and you'll see how things will be cleared!"
"And therefore," interrupted Harker with a smile, "that when he and Brake met as you seem to think they did Ransford flung Brake through that open doorway; that Collishaw witnessed it, that Ransford's found out about Collishaw, and that Collishaw has been poisoned by Ransford. Eh?" "That's a theory that seems to be supported by facts," said Bryce.
But ther' 'tain't nuthin' that needs tellin' you. Guess it'll only make a dandy gal like you feel mean." The man's purpose must have been evident to anybody less simple than Joan. As it was she jumped at the bait so skilfully held out. "But you must tell me," she said, remembering Mrs. Ransford's remarks. "I insist on knowing if it is anything concerning me." Beasley's air was perfect.
"Such a necessity would indeed be dreadful." "And yet you do not insist yes, insist! on Dr. Ransford's taking strong steps to clear himself!" exclaimed Mrs. Folliot. "Now that, indeed, is a dreadful necessity!" "Dr. Ransford," answered Mary, "is quite able to defend and to take care of himself. It is not for me to tell him what to do, or even to advise him what to do.
"The accident to that stranger. This Mrs. Deramore, who's nothing but an old chatterer, has been saying, here and there, that it's a very queer thing Dr. Ransford doesn't know anything about him, and can't say anything, for she herself, she says, saw the very man going away from Dr. Ransford's house not so long before the accident." "I am not aware that he ever called at Dr.
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