There was an awkward pose about him as he stood up--a clumsy effort to maintain the semblance of an official dignity.

The questioning look his ferret eyes cast at the butler through the haze of tobacco smoke which filled the room indicated his impression that the visit was not merely a neighbourly call.

Tufnell did not leave him in doubt on the point.
"You are wanted at the moat-house at once, Sergeant Lumbe," he said gravely.

"A terrible crime has been committed.

Mrs.Heredith has been murdered." "Murdered!" ejaculated the sergeant, looking vacantly across the table at his wife, who had given vent to a cry of horror.