A garden ladder stood outside, showing how the assassin had obtained entrance.

Mark stood rigid and silent, his hands tightly clenched, his breath coming slowly and heavily.

At last he roused himself.
"Leave things just as they are," he said to the men in a tone of unnatural calmness, "and fasten the door up again, and turn a table or something of that sort against it on the outside so that no one can come in.

John, do you tell one of the grooms to saddle a horse and ride down into the town.

Let him tell the head constable to come up at once, and also Dr.Holloway.Then he is to go on to Sir Charles Harris, tell him what has happened, and beg him to ride over at once.
"Come, Ramoo," he said in a softer voice, "you can do no good here, poor fellow, and the room must be closed.