The ladies, pale-faced and weeping, went downstairs together like a flock of frightened birds, and the young men, only too glad to obey somebody who showed nerve and resolution at such a moment, dispersed at once to search the house.
Musard was left in the room alone, but not for long.

Miss Heredith entered from the corridor almost immediately.

Tufnell accompanied her to the door, but stopped there, with staring eyes directed towards the bed.
Miss Heredith's face was drawn, but she had recovered her self-control.
She walked quickly towards Musard, who was still bending over the bed.
"Vincent!" she cried.

"In pity's name tell me what dreadful thing has happened?
They have carried Phil downstairs, and they tried to detain me, but I broke away from them and came straight to you.

Is Violet----" Musard sprang to his feet at the first sound of her voice, and wheeled round swiftly, as if trying to impose his body between her and the figure on the bed.
"Go back, Alethea!" he sternly commanded.