"Sit down, Mr. Rugg," she said, politely.
Her manner was cool and composed; but when the servant had left the room, she rose from her chair, and in a tone which showed the anxiety which she had till then repressed, she asked, abruptly: "Well, Mr. Rugg, have you any news for me?"
"Yes, ma'am, I have," he answered, deliberately.
"What is it? Don't keep me in suspense," she said, impatiently.
"The job's done," said Rudolph briefly.
"You mean that the boy—"
"Accidentally fell down a well, and was killed," said the visitor, finishing the sentence.
"Horrible!" murmured the lady.
"Wasn't it?" said Rudolph, with a grin. "He must have been very careless."