“No!” answered Peggie with decision. “Please omit nothing. Tell us all.”
“There was a revolver lying close by Mr. Herapath’s right hand,” continued the inspector. “One chamber had been discharged. Mr. Herapath had been shot through the right temple, evidently at close quarters. I should say—and our surgeon says—he had died instantly. And—I think that’s all I need say just now.”
Peggie, who had listened to this with unmoved countenance, involuntarily stepped towards the door.
“Let us go to him,” she said. “I suppose he’s still here?”
But there Selwood, just as involuntarily, asserted an uncontrollable instinct. He put himself between the door and the girl.
“No!” he said firmly, wondering at himself for his insistence. “Don’t! There’s no need for that—yet. You mustn’t go. Mr. Tertius——”
“Better not just yet, miss,” broke in the inspector. “The doctor is still here. Afterwards, perhaps. If you would wait here while these gentlemen go with me.”
Peggie hesitated a moment; then she turned away and sat down.
“Very well,” she said.
The inspector silently motioned the two men to follow him; with his hand on the door Selwood turned again to Peggie.