"What steps have you taken?" asked Ezra, striking a fusee and lighting a cigar.
"I have taken care that they should know that she is an invalid, both at Bedsworth and at Claxton. They have all heard of the poor sick young lady at the Priory. I have let them know also that her mind is a little strange, which accounts, of course, for her being kept in solitude. When it happens--"
"For God's sake, be quiet!" the young man cried, with a shudder. "It's an awful job; it won't bear thinking of."
"Yes, it is a sad business; but what else is there?"
"And how would you do it?" Ezra asked, in a hoarse whisper. "No violence, I hope."
"It may come to that. I have other plans in my head, however, which may be tried first. I think that I see one way out of it which would simplify matters."
"If there is no alternative I have a man who is ripe for any job of the sort."
"Ah, who is that?"
"A fellow who can hit a good downright blow, as I can testify to my cost. His name is Burt. He is the man who cut my head open in Africa. I met him in London the other day, and spotted him at once. He is a half-starved, poor devil, and as desperate as a man could be. He is just in the key for any business of the sort. I've got the whip-hand of him now, and he knows it, so that I could put him up to anything. I believe that such a job would be a positive pleasure to him, for the fellow is more like a wild beast than a man."
"Sad, sad!" Girdlestone exclaimed. "If a man once falls away, what is there to separate him from the beasts? How can I find this man?"
"Wire to me. Put 'Send a doctor;' that will do as well as anything else, and will sound well at the post-office. I'll see that he comes down by the next train. You'd best meet him at the station, for the chances are that he will be drunk."
"Bring him down," said Girdlestone. "You must be here yourself."
"Surely you can do without me?"
"No, no. We must stand or fall together."
"I've a good mind to throw the thing over," said Ezra, stopping in his walk. "It sickens me."
"What! Go back now!" the old man cried vehemently. "No, no, that would be too craven. We have everything in our favour, and all that we want is a stout heart. Oh, my boy, my boy, on the one side of you are ruin, dishonour, a sordid existence, and the scorn of your old companions; on the other are success and riches and fame and all that can make life pleasant. You know as well as I do that the girl's money would turn the scale, and that all would then be well. Your whole future depends upon her death. We have given her every chance. She laughed at your love. It is time now to show her your hate."