He had only just done this and put back the purse when he heard Varner's voice, and a second later the voice of Inspector Mitchington, a well-known police official.

And at that Bryce sprang to his feet, and when the mason and his companions emerged from the bushes was standing looking thoughtfully at the dead man.

He turned to Mitchington with a shake of the head.
"Dead!" he said in a hushed voice.

"Died as we got to him.

Broken--all to pieces, I should say--neck and spine certainly.