Arnold stared at him. It seemed impossible that there was any one ignorant of the tragedy.
"Haven't you heard?" Arnold exclaimed. "Rosario was stabbed outside the Grill Room a few moments ago."
Starling's pallid complexion seemed suddenly to become ghastly.
"Rosario—Rosario stabbed?" he faltered.
"I thought that every one in the place must have heard of it," Arnold continued. "He was stabbed just as he was entering the café, not more than ten minutes ago."
"By whom?"
Starling's words came with the swift crispness of a pistol shot. Arnold shook his head.
"I didn't see. I am just going to ask for particulars. Will you stay with Mrs. Weatherley?"
Starling looked searchingly along the vestibule. The news seemed to have affected him strangely. His head was thrown a little back, his nostrils distended. He reminded Arnold for a moment of a watch-dog, listening.
"Of course," he muttered, "of course. Come back as soon as you can and let us know what has happened."