“God bless you!” ejaculated Kate.

“But not to Phillimore Gardens.  Hot-headed young men do foolish things under such circumstances as these.  This is a case that wants careful management.  I know a gentleman in London who is just the man, and who I know would be only too proud to help a lady in distress.  He is a retired officer, and his name is Major Clutterbuck—­Major Tobias Clutterbuck.”

“Oh, I know him very well, and I have heard of you, too,” said Kate, with a smile.  “I remember your name now in connection with his.”

It was Mrs. Scully’s turn to blush now.  “Never mind that,” she said.  “I can trust the major, and I know he will be down here at a word from me.  I shall let him have the facts, and he can tell the Dimsdales if he thinks it best.  Good-bye, dear; don’t be unhappy any more, but remember that you have friends outside who will very quickly set all right.  Good-bye!” and waving her hand in encouragement, the good widow woke up the pony, which had fallen fast asleep, and rattled away down the lane in the direction from which she had come.

CHAPTER XL.

THE MAJOR HAS A LETTER.

At four o’clock Mr. Girdlestone stepped into the Bedsworth telegraph office and wired his short message.  It ran thus:  “Case hopeless.  Come on to-morrow with a doctor.”  On receipt of this he knew by their agreement that his son would come down, bringing with him the man of violence whom he had spoken of at their last interview.  There was nothing for it now but that his ward should die.  If he delayed longer, the crash might come before her money was available, and then how vain all regrets would be.

It seemed to him that there was very little risk in the matter.  The girl had had no communication with any one.  Even of those around her, Mrs. Jorrocks was in her dotage, Rebecca Taylforth was staunch and true, and Stevens knew nothing.  Every one on the country side had heard of the invalid young lady at the Priory.  Who would be surprised to hear that she had passed away?  He dare not call in any local medical man, but his inventive brain had overcome the difficulty, and had hit upon a device by which he might defy both doctors and coroner.  If all went as he had planned it, it was difficult to see any chance of detection.  In the case of a poorer man the fact that the girl’s money reverted to him might arouse suspicion, but he rightly argued that with his great reputation no one would ever dream that such a consideration could have weight with him.