There was no doubt that she was dead.

Bending down and examining her again more closely, he saw clearly that the skull was broken and even battered in on one side.

He was about to feel it with his finger, but drew back his hand and indeed it was evident without that.

Meanwhile there was a perfect pool of blood.

All at once he noticed a string on her neck; he tugged at it, but the string was strong and did not snap and besides, it was soaked with blood.