So it happened that he reached home without meeting a single person. He went up the door-way to the front door and rang the bell.
The door was opened by Nancy Forbes, the house-keeper, whose name was appended to the telegram.
"So it's you, Master Walter," she said. "I am glad you are home, but it's a sad home you're come to."
"Is father very sick, then?" asked Walter, turning pale.
"Didn't anybody tell you, then?"
"Tell me what?"
"My dear child, your father died at eight o'clock this morning."