They had placed an arrest upon the corpse; it was theirs until their claim was satisfied, and they sat down to thus watch and secure it.

Pleasant occupation! It may have been an hour later that Lady Isabel, leaving her own chamber, opened noiselessly that of the dead.

She had been in it several times during the previous day; at first with the housekeeper; afterward, when the nameless dread was somewhat effaced, alone.

But she felt nervous again this morning, and had gained the bed before she ventured to lift her eyes from the carpet and encounter the sight.

Then she started, for there sat two strange-looking men--and not attractive men either.
It darted through her mind that they must be people from the neighborhood, come to gratify an idle and unpardonable curiosity.