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contrary, being of stout build and rubicund countenance, seemed an ill-fitting figure in the sad and tearful group.
    But as Kitty French remarked to Fessenden in a whisper, “Poor Tom probably feels the worst of any of us, and it isn’t his fault that he can’t make that fat, jolly face of his look more funereal.”
    â€œAnd he’s said to be the heir to the estate, too,” Fessenden whispered back.
    â€œNow, that’s mean of you,” declared Kitty. “Tom hasn’t a greedy hair in his head, and I don’t believe he has even thought of his fortune. And, besides, he was desperately in love with Madeleine. A whole heap more in love than Mr. Carleton was.”
    Fessenden stared at her. “Then why was Carleton marrying her?”
    â€œFor her money,” said Kitty, with a disdainful air.
    â€œI didn’t know that,” went on Fessenden, quite seriously. “I thought Carleton was hard hit. She was a magnificent woman.”
    â€œOh, she was, indeed,” agreed Kitty enthusiastically. “Mr. Carleton didn’t half appreciate her, and Tom did. But then she was always very different with Tom. Somehow she always seemed constrained when with Mr. Carleton.”
    â€œThen why was she marrying him?”
    â€œShe was terribly in love with him. She liked Tom only in a cousinly way, but she adored Mr. Carleton. I know it.”
    â€œWell, it seems you were right about her not killing herself, so you’re probably right about this matter, too.”
    â€œNow, that shows a nice spirit,” said Kitty, smiling, even in the midst of her sorrow. “But, truly, I’m ’most always right; aren’t you?”
    â€œI shall be after this, for I’m always going to agree with you.”
    â€œThat’s a pretty large order, for I’m sometimes awfully disagreeable.”
    â€œI shouldn’t believe that, but I’ve practically promised to believe everything you tell me, so I suppose I shall have to.”
    â€œOh, now I have defeated my own ends! Well, never mind; abide by your first impression,—that I’m always right,—and then go ahead.”
    â€œGo ahead it is,” declared Fessenden, and then Molly Gardner joined them. Molly was more overcome by the tragic turn affairs had taken than Kitty, and had only just made her appearance downstairs that day.
    â€œYou dear child,” cried Kitty, noting her pale cheeks and sad eyes, “sit right down here by us, and let Mr. Fessenden talk to you. He’s the nicest man in the world to cheer any one up.”
    â€œAnd you look as if you need cheering, Miss Gardner,” said Fessenden, arranging some pillows at her back, as she languidly dropped down on the sofa.
    â€œI can’t realize it at all,” said poor Molly; “I don’t want to be silly and keep fainting all over the place, but every time I remember how Maddy looked last night.” She glanced toward the closed library doors with a shudder.
    â€œDon’t think about it,” said Rob Fessenden gently. “What you need most, Miss Gardner, is a bit of fresh air. Come with me for a little walk in the grounds.”
    This was self-sacrifice on the part of the young man, for he greatly desired to be present when the coroner should open the closed doors to them again. But he really thought Miss Gardner would be better for a short, brisk walk, and, getting her some wraps, they went out at the front door.

VII
    MR. BENSON’S QUESTIONS
    IT WAS SOME TIME after Fessenden and Molly had returned from their walk that the library doors were thrown open, and Coroner Benson invited them all to come in.
    They filed in slowly, each heart heavy with an impending sense of dread. Doctor Hills ushered them to seats, which had been arranged in rows, and which gave an unpleasantly formal air to the cozy library.
    The body of Madeleine Van Norman had been taken upstairs to her own room, and at the library