Preenham gave him a grateful look and continued:

“I thought I’d go and speak to Mr Ramo, and then I met Cook and Anne.”

“We were on the mat, Mr Preenham,” said a husky voice from below.

“Yes, Mrs Thompson, quite right, and they went on to the kitchen while I went up into the hall, and undid the bolts of the front hall door, and let down the chain.”

“Yes—exactly.”

“Then I went up, sir, to see if Mr Ramo was at master’s door.”

“Yes; go on,” said Capel, excitedly.

“And when I came to the door, sir, I found it was ajar, and though I listened, I could not hear a sound. So I pushed the door against the big curtain, and called softly, ‘Ramo! Mr Ramo!’ but there was no answer, and then I felt a bit alarmed, and, after waiting a moment, I went down and got a light.”

“Well?”

“I called again, sir, twice; and then, pushing open the door, a puff of wind nearly blew out the light.”