"There is something wrong here." Ramoo returned in a short time with two men servants and with the ax in his hands.

Mark took it, and with a few mighty blows split the woodwork, and then hurling himself against the door, it yielded.

As he entered the room a cry broke from his lips.

Within a pace or two of the bed the Squire lay on the ground, on his face, and a deep stain on the carpet at once showed that his death had been a violent one.

Mark knelt by his side now, and touched him.