"Terrible! Terrible! What do you think, Mainwaring? is this murder or suicide?"
"Time alone will tell," replied Mr. Mainwaring in a low tone; "but I am inclined to think it is murder."
"Murder without a doubt!" added Mr. Whitney.
"But who could have done such a deed?" groaned Mr. Thornton.
Hugh Mainwaring was attired, as when Scott had last seen him, in a rich dressing-gown; but as the secretary knelt beside the silent form and touched the left hand lying partially hidden in its folds, he gave a slight start, and, quickly passing his hand within the dressing-gown, announced in a low tone,—
"His diamond ring and his watch are both gone!"
"Robbery!" exclaimed young Mainwaring; "that must have been the object of the murderer!" While his father, glancing towards the safe, remarked,—
"We must ascertain whether anything else is missing."
"We will make a thorough examination of the room after the coroner's arrival," said Mr. Whitney, "but, for the present, everything must remain as it is."
"Should we not send for a detective at once?" Mr. Thornton inquired.