"No, no, dear, you didn't kill her. Never mind that now. We'll find it all out in good time."
"I don't want it found out! It must not be found out! Won't you take away that detective man? He knows too much--oh, yes, he knows too much!"
"Hush, dear, please don't make any disturbance now. They're taking your aunt away."
"Are they?" and suddenly Iris calmed herself, and stood up, quite still and composed. "Let me see," she said; "no, I don't want to go down. I want to look out of the windows."
Kneeling at the front window of Miss Darrel's room, in utter silence, Iris watched the bearers take the casket out of the door.
"Poor Aunt Ursula," she whispered softly, "I _did_ love you. I'm sorry I didn't show it more. I wish I had been less impatient. But I will avenge your death. I didn't think I could, but I must--I know I _must_, and I will do it. I promise you, Aunt Ursula--I vow it!"
"Who killed her?" Miss Darrel spoke softly, and in an awed tone.
"I can't tell you. But I--_I_ am the avenger!"
It was an hour or more later when the group gathered in the living room, listened to the reading of Ursula Pell's last will and testament.
Mr. Bowen's round face was solemn and sad. Mrs. Bowen was pale with weeping.
Miss Darrel kept a watchful eye on Iris, but the girl was quite her normal self. Winston Bannard was composed and somewhat stern looking, and the servants huddled in the doorway waiting their word.
As might have been expected from the eccentric old lady, the will was long and couched in a mass of unnecessary verbiage. But it was duly drawn and witnessed and its decrees were altogether valid.
As was anticipated, the house and estate of Pellbrook were bequeathed to Miss Lucille Darrel.
The positive nod of that lady's head expressed her satisfaction, and Mr. Chapin proceeded.
Followed a few legacies of money or valuables to several more distant relatives and friends, and then came the list of servants.
A beautiful set of cameos was given to Agnes; a collection of rare coins to the Purdys; and a wonderful gold watch with a jeweled fob to Campbell.
A clause of the will directed that, "if any of the legatees prefer cash to sentiment, they are entirely at liberty to sell their gifts, and it is recommended that Mr. Browne will make for them the most desirable agent.