Under the trees and beneath the high bank of the river the shadows deepened; scarcely any light from the moon fell on the road.

It was well, therefore, that our cavalier drew rein, and somewhat checked the pace of his horse, advancing with some caution over the familiar yet unseen road; for just as he came opposite the land end of the pier which led out to the boat-house, the animal stopped with such suddenness that a less practised rider would have suffered a severe fall.

The horse snorted and trembled in terror, and began rearing and backing away from the spot.

Looking down in the darkness, Talbot could barely discern a dark, bulky object lying in the road.
"Here, Dick!" he called to the groom, who had stopped and reined in his own horse, apparently as terrified as the other, a few paces back of his master; and tossing his bridle rein toward him, "take my horse, while I see what stopped him." Lightly leaping to the ground, and stepping up to the object before him, he bent down and laid his hand upon it, and then started back in surprise and horror.

"It's a man," he exclaimed; "dead, yet warm still.