"When did it occur?"
"I do not know. I was in my room upstairs and came down to speak to him about--about my marriage to-morrow----" She paused and closed her eyes and clenched her hands for a moment, and then forced herself to continue. "I found him as you see. That was just before I ran out of the house in my panic and you met me. I remembered his warning to me and fled. I was mad for the time, I think."
"What was his warning?"
"It was after you left him this afternoon. Something you said made him speak to me. He had had a letter threatening his life, and charging him with treachery; and I was threatened also."
I had been kneeling all this time by the body and now rose. "You have no idea who can have done this?"
"None. He told me he had an important interview to-night, and must not be disturbed. That was why I did not come down earlier."
"We must find out with whom," I replied. "And now we must have the police. Have you nerve enough to fetch them or shall we go together?"
"Don't leave me."
At that instant as we turned to leave, I heard a sound somewhere in the house. Hagar heard it also, and clutched my arm shaking like a leaf.
"You say we are alone in the house?" I asked in a low tone.