Musard was relieved by their return, though his impassive face did not reveal his feelings.

Miss Heredith left the room with Tufnell, taking the jewel-case with her.

Musard met the young men at the threshold.
The tall young officer with the sunburnt face, Major Gardner, informed Musard that they had completed a search of the house from top to bottom, but had found nothing.

They had also searched the grounds, without result.
"Mrs.Heredith is dead," Musard gravely informed them.

"She died while you have been searching for the miscreant who fired the shot we heard at the dinner table.