"Referring to that matter of which we were talking, Hardwick," Gifford Bruce began, "I----"
Even as he spoke, the clock chimed four, and, as always, they paused to count the long, slow strokes.
Then Bruce began again: "I think, myself----"
A strange change passed over his face. His jaw fell, his eyes stared, and then, his teacup fell from his hand, and he slumped down in an awful--a terrifying heap!
Landon sprang to his assistance, Norma ran to him, while Tracy, with a quick glance at Vernie, flew to the child's side.
"What is it?" he cried to her, "what's the matter, Vernie?" He slipped an arm round her, just as, with a wild look and a ringing shriek, the girl's head fell back and her eyes closed.
"I don't know," and Tracy's voice shook. "Help me, Miss Carnforth--let us lay her on this sofa."
Between them they carried the girl, for she was past muscular effort, and as they placed her gently on the sofa her eyes fluttered, she gave a gasping sigh, and fell back, inert.
"Oh," cried Eve, "she isn't--she _isn't_--_oh_, it's just four o'clock!"
Landon ran to Vernie's side and felt of her heart.
"She is dead," he said, solemnly, his face white, his voice shaking; "and Gifford Bruce is dead, too. It is four o'clock!"
In the panic-stricken moments that followed the realization of the double tragedy, the natural characteristics of all those present showed themselves. Eve Carnforth, strong and calm, suddenly became self-appointed dictator.
"Lay Mr. Bruce flat on his back," she called out, as she darted upstairs for her room, and returned with smelling salts, ammonia and such things.
Tracy, also capable and self-possessed, took a vial from her and held it before the face of the stricken child, while others strove to bring back to consciousness the motionless figure of Gifford Bruce, now stretched on the floor.
"It's no use," declared Landon, flinging the beads of sweat from his forehead, "they are dead,--both of them. Oh, what _does_ it mean?"
Norma sat in a big chair, her hands clutching its carved arms, and her face stony white. She was using all her will power to keep from utter collapse, and she couldn't understand how Eve could be so natural and self-possessed.
"Brace up, Norma," Eve admonished her; "here, take this salts-bottle. Now is no time to make more trouble!"