He had been shot in the back of the head through an open window." "Merciful God! and the body still there." "No, but its disappearance only adds to the mystery.

I dared not create an alarm at once, as we were in a strange house, and I had no means of knowing where to find either Coombs or the housekeeper.

Nor did I venture to leave you alone unguarded.

As soon as daylight came I went in there again to convince myself the murder was not a dream.

The man's body lay there undisturbed.