It proved to be the dead body of Lord Hartledon, caught amongst the reeds.
It was rather a curious coincidence that Percival Elster and his servants in the last search should have heard the voices of the labourers singing in the distance.

But they were too far off on their return to Hartledon to be within hearing when the men found the body.
The news spread; people came up from far and near, and Hartledon was besieged.

Mr.Hillary, the surgeon, gave it as his opinion that the wound on the temple, no doubt caused before death, had rendered Lord Hartledon insensible, and unable to extricate himself from the water.

The mill and cottage were built on what might be called an arm of the river.

Lord Hartledon had no business there at all; but the current was very strong; and if, as was too probable, he had become almost disabled, he might have drifted to it without being able to help himself; or he might have been making for it, intending to land and rest in the cottage until help could be summoned to convey him home.