A Crime on Canvas (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XLVI BY FORCE OF ARMS HERE was little more to be said or done save X to gather up the stricken man and carry him gently to his room. When he was undressed and laid upon his bed he opened his eyes and gazed feebly around him. There was no trouble with his limbs or his power of speech, for he babbled incoherently about matters which happened long ago. There might be brain trouble; indeed, undoubtedly there was. But Watney was relieved to find that there were no symptoms of apoplexy or paralysis, which he had feared. He waited until a doctor who had been summoned pronounced his verdict. "Evidently had a shock," the man of medicine said. "He is a pretty old man, too. I should say there is nothing physically or organically wrong, and perhaps a day or two's nursing will restore him to comparative health again. Not that the poor old gentleman will ever really regain his strength. He will want careful looking after in future. If Miss Blantyre does not mind, I will send a nurse for the present." They returned to the dining-room to discuss what the doctor had said. A long and somewhat awkward pause followed, until, at length, Alice Le Blanc, as she may now be called, spoke. "This is very sad," she said. "But I hope you will not blame me. It seemed to me that I was bound to take the course I did, though I would have been less emphatic if I had realized how ill my grandfather was. But, ill or not, you must both see that the truth will have to be told. It is preposterous that Mr. Hatton should he under an accusation like this when a few words from Sir Arthur would set him free." "But are you sure of that?" Ethel asked. "If 1 were not sure of it I should not be here to-night," the actress retorted. "My dear child, you must allow me to know a...