“And yet it be certain that some accident ha’ taken place. It may be hard to say what it is. It may be worse than any on us think.”
They flashed the lanterns in every direction, but failed to find as yet any solution to the mystery.
They walked slowly and sadly along, examining every portion of the way as they did so.
As they neared the end of Dennett’s-lane a cry from the foremost party caused a sudden panic.
“What be the matter?” cried the other.
“Matter!” exclaimed the man in front. “Here be our young master lying like one dead. There’s bin foul play, mates—Master Philip’s been murdered!”
They now gathered round the body of the dead man.
They lowered their lanterns and gazed at his wan features, which too plainly denoted that life had departed.
They looked into each other’s faces, and gave a simultaneous cry.
The open gash in the throat, the fractured skull, and the deep pool of blood were evidences of the terrible tragedy which had been enacted.