The expression was not that of a man who had fallen weapon in hand.

Neither, however, was it that of one who had died in the agony of poison.

The longer I looked, the more mysterious it seemed; yet the more I felt assured that there was guilt at the bottom of the mystery.
"While I was yet under the first confused and shuddering impression of this doubt, my guide came back with a powerful solar lamp, and, seeing me stand beside the body, said sharply:-- "'Well, Signore, you look as if you had never seen a dead man before in all your life!' "'I have seen plenty,' I replied, 'but never one so young, and so handsome.' "'He dropped down quite suddenly,' said he, volunteering the information, 'and died in a few minutes.

'Then finding that I remained silent, added:-- "'But I am told that it is always so in cases of heart-disease.' "'I turned away without replying, and, having placed the lamp to my satisfaction, began rapidly sketching in my subject.

My instructions were simple.