I fear, however, that my tones must have betrayed me, for not only Sir Henry but also Good and Mackenzie rose from the table and came hurrying out.
'What is it ?' said the clergyman, anxiously.
Then I had to tell them.
Mr Mackenzie turned pale as death under his red skin.

We were standing opposite the hall door, and there was a light in it so that I could see.

He snatched the head up by the hair and held it against the light.
'It is the head of one of the men who accompanied Flossie,' he said with a gasp.

'Thank God it is not hers!' We all stood and stared at each other aghast.

What was to be done?
Just then there was a knocking at the door that I had bolted, and a voice cried, 'Open, my father, open!' The door was unlocked, and in sped a terrified man.