What was that medicine? Not
only had it burned his throat, but it caused him to fall into a deep
sleep, in which his heart ceased to beat and his blood ceased to flow.
He turned away and walked out of the cottage. For an hour he walked
along the road. Then he stopped and walked back. Ropes drew him; he
could no longer keep away. He felt as if something must have happened.
Possibly he would find the doctor arrested and the police waiting for
himself, to be charged as an accomplice or a principal.
He found no such thing. The doctor was in the salon, with letters and
official forms before him. He looked up cheerfully.
"My English friend," he said, "the unexpected end of this young Irish
gentleman is a very melancholy affair. I have ascertained the name of
the family solicitors and have written to them. I have also written to
his brother as the head of the house. I find also, by examination of
his papers, that his life is insured--the amount is not stated, but I
have communicated the fact of the death. The authorities--they are,
very properly, careful in such matters--have received the necessary
notices and forms: to-morrow, all legal forms having been gone through,
we bury the deceased.
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