"No, no more than we," said Dr.Baird."It will require some nice work in medical jurisprudence, and also a very delicate analysis, to determine that.I am inclined to think - "But what he thought no one heard or cared to hear at that moment, for, even as he spoke, the door of the little room was thrown hastily and somewhat violently open, and Viola Carwell confronted the three men.Her face showed traces of grief, but it had lost little of the beauty forwhich she was noted.
Tall and dark, with hair of that blue - black sheen so rarely observed, with violet eyes and a poise and grace that made her much observed, Viola Carwell was at the height of her beauty.In a sense she had the gentle grace of her mother and with that the verve and sprightliness of her father mingled perfectly.It was no wonder that Captain Poland and Harry Bartlett and many others, for that matter, were rivals for her favors.
"I thought you were here," she said quietly to Dr.Lambert."Oh, Uncle Add, what is it? Tell me the truth!" she begged as she placed a hand on his arm, a hand that trembled in spite of her determination to remain calm."Please tell me the truth !""The truth, Viola ?" he questioned gently.
"Yes.I'm afraid you are trying to keep something back from me.This looks like it - you men in here talking - consulting as to what is best to do.Tell me.My father is dead.But that, I know, is not the worst that can happen.Tell me! Is there-is there any disgrace? I know - "Viola stopped as though she herself feared the words she was about to utter.Dr.Lambert quickly spoke.
"There has been no disgrace, my dear Viola," he said, gently."We have just come from the - from having made an investigation - Dr.Baird and myself and Dr.Rowland.We discovered that your father was poisoned, and - ""Poisoned?" she gasped, and started back as though struck, while her rapid glances went from face to face, resting longest on the countenance of Captain Poland.It was as though, in this great emergency, she looked to him for comfort more than to the old doctor who had ushered her into the world.
"I am sorry to have to say it, Viola, but such is the case," went on the family physician."Your father was poisoned.But the kind of poison we have not yet determined.""But who gave it to him ?" she cried."Oh, it doesn't seem that any one would hate him so, not even his worst enemy.And he had so many friends-too many, perhaps.""We don't know that any one gave him the poison, Viola," said Dr.
Lambert, gently."In fact, it does not seem that any one did, or your father would have known it.Certainly if any one had tried to make him take poison there would have been a struggle that he would have mentioned.But he died of poison, nevertheless.""Then there can be but one other explanation," she murmured, and her voice was tense and strained."He must have - ""We fear he took it himself," blurted out Dr.Baird, in spite of the warning look cast at him by his colleague.
"Oh, I won't believe that! It can't be true!" cried Viola, and she burst into a storm of sobs.Dr.Lambert placed his arms about her.
"Tell me it isn't true, Uncle Add!Tell me itisn't true!" she sobbed.
The three men, looking at one another - Dr.Lambert's glance coming over the bowed head of Viola - said nothing for a few moments.Then as her sobs died away, and she became calmer, the old physician said:
"You mustnot take on so, Vi.I know it is hard, but you must meet the issue squarely.At the same time you must realize that even the most suspicious circumstances may be explained away.While it does look as though your father had deliberately taken the poison, it may easily be established by an investigation that it was an accident - an accident of which even your father was ignorant.""There are so many poisons that do not manifest themselves for a long time - often days - after they are taken, that there is every chance of proving this to have been an accident.""Then there must be an investigation!" was Viola's quick decision.There were still tears in her eyes, but she looked through them now, as through a veil that must be torn aside."I can not believe that my father was a - a suicide - " she halted at the awful word."I will not believe it!" she went on more firmly."It can not be true!"Hardly had she uttered the last word than a figure passed through the hall, flitting past the half-opened door of the little room where Viola stood with the three men.
"Who is there ?" she called sharply, for she had spoken rather loudly, and she did not want any of the servants to hear."Who is there?""It is I - Minnie," was the answer."Dear Viola, I have come to see ifI could do anything.I rang and rang, but no one answered the bell, and, as the door was open, I walked in.""I'm afraid I didn't close it when I let you in," said Captain Poland to Dr.Lambert.
"Dear Viola !" said Minnie Webb, as she placed cheek against that of her friend."Is there anything I can do in your terrible trouble? Please let me do something!""Thank you, Minnie.You are very kind.I don't know.We are in such distress.Tell me - " and Viola seemed to nerve herself for some effort."Tell me! Did you hear what I said just now - as you passed the door?""Do you mean about not believing that your father was a suicide?" asked Minnie, in a low voice.
"Yes."
"I - I heard you."
"Then the only thing you can do is to help me prove otherwise," said Viola."That would be the greatest help.It can't be true, and we want that made plain.Father never killed himself.He was not that kind of man.He did not fear death, but he would not go deliberately to meet it.It is not true that he killed himself!" and Viola's voice seemed to ring out.
A strange look came over the face of Minnie Webb.There was a great pity shining in her eyes as she said:
"I - I am sorry, Viola, but - but I am afraid it may be true." "What!That my father committed suicide?""Yes," whispered Minnie."I - I'm afraid it may be true!"
