There had been silence on both sides for some minutes, when, at last, the colonel’s knock was heard at the front door. It had been his habit, until the news of the robberies at the Blue Lion was whispered about, to let himself into his house by simply turning the handle. But now, in common prudence, they deemed it necessary to keep the doors fastened from the inside.
With a sigh of relief Miss Bostal sprang up and hurried out to admit her father.
“Why, papa, what makes you so late? Nell has been with me, or I should have felt quite nervous.”
The colonel came in with much quicker steps than usual, but he stopped short on hearing the girl’s name mentioned.
“Nell!” exclaimed he. And by his manner Miss Theodora saw that something unusual had occurred. Before, however, she had time to ask any questions, he added, with a slight toss of the head: “Oh, well, the girl must hear it. Where is she?”
Nell had not moved from her seat by the fire; but she held up her head, listening. It was in this attitude that Colonel Bostal discovered her when he threw open the dining-room door and entered, followed by his daughter.
“Well, papa, what is this wonderful news of yours?” chirped Miss Theodora, quite anxious for a little bit of gossip.
“Well, it’s something very serious, very dreadful, indeed. A man was found lying by the side of the road this evening, just outside Stroan, and it seems it is Jem Stickels.”
“Dear, dear, not intoxicated again, I hope, after all his promises?” said Miss Theodora, anxiously.
“No, poor fellow,” answered her father, gravely. “He was dead.”