"That the man should be stabbed as well as shot," put in Jarman, ever watchful. "I don't wonder at it. Wasn't one mode of death enough?"
"Apparently not. The shot must have killed him, too, as it was under the right eye!"
"The _right_ eye," objected Frank, and it was on the tip of his tongue to correct the speech, but he swallowed his words. "How horrible!"
"You may well say that. We don't know all the details yet," said Mrs. Perth, addressing Eustace, "and Mildred has gone up to town to hear what she can. The police are in possession of the house. Let us hope the assassin will be found."
"Let us hope so," muttered Frank, and then aimlessly strolled away to a little distance to overcome a qualmish feeling.
"He's rather a nervous chap," explained Jarman to Mrs. Perth; "bad health and weak eyes."
"He does indeed look pale, Mr. Jarman. I fear I'm not looking well myself this morning."
"No wonder," said Eustace. "The shock--"
"Well, it was a shock to us both," interrupted Mrs. Perth, speaking low. "But to tell you the truth, Mr. Jarman, Mildred is more grieved than I am. I never liked Walter. Heaven forgive me for speaking ill of the dead, but--well, Mr. Jarman, you know what a bad man he was."
"We'll bury his reputation with him, poor wretch."