He is wealthy, learned, clever.

From his physiognomy there is no doubting that he is a man of iron will and determined purpose.

His daughter--his only child, I take it, a young girl bright and clever--is sleeping in the very next room to his.
There is seemingly no possible reason for expecting any attack or disturbance of any kind; and no reasonable opportunity for any outsider to effect it.

And yet we have an attack made; a brutal and remorseless attack, made in the middle of the night.

Discovery is made quickly; made with that rapidity which in criminal cases generally is found to be not accidental, but of premeditated intent.