And, of course, when he went out so late and never came back, why, naturally, I thought something had happened to him, and that there'd be enquiries made." "Just so--just so!" said Rathbury.

"So you would, ma'am--so you would.
Well, something has happened to him.

He's dead.

What's more, there's strong reason to think he was murdered." Mr.and Mrs.Walters received this announcement with proper surprise and horror, and the landlord suggested a little refreshment to his visitors.

Spargo and Breton declined, on the ground that they had work to do during the afternoon; Rathbury accepted it, evidently as a matter of course.
"My respects," he said, lifting his glass.