When he entered the breakfast-room at the Park, he did not notice, or pretended that he did not notice, Violet, who was sitting at the window, half hidden by the curtain; but advancing to Mrs. Mildmay, he said, in a tone of grave concern:
"It is as I feared, my dear madam. The man is Starling, my late valet."
"Dear me!" said Mrs. Mildmay.
"And he was found lying on the rocks below the cliffs. He had suddenly fallen over, or been thrown over."
"Thrown over!" repeated Mrs. Mildmay, with a look of horror. "Oh, who could be guilty of such a horrible crime?"
"I do not know—I cannot say," said the captain, who seemed much agitated. "Has Mr. Leicester Dodson been here this morning?"
"No," said Mrs. Mildmay. "Did you expect him?"
"Oh, no," said the captain. "I should like to see him; indeed, I went up to the Cedars, hoping to see him, but I could not find either him or Mr. Dodson at home."
"Why did you want to see him?" asked the simple lady.
"I should have liked him to see the body, and to ask him a few questions," said the captain, who knew that the white-muslined figure in the window seat was listening attentively.