Her laughter was contagious. Norman smiled in quick sympathy, and a response of hope and courage was just forming itself on his lips when he looked toward the house and saw an excited crowd packed in the doorway.
"What on earth is the matter?" Barbara gasped.
"Some accident has happened," he replied, quickly. "Come, we must hurry!"
Catherine's lithe figure darted down the steps and met them on the lawn.
"What is it?" Norman cried.
"A murder!"
"A murder?" Barbara repeated, incredulously.
"Yes—wilful, deliberate, cruel, horrible!" Catherine went on excitedly.
"Not old Tom and Joe?" Norman broke in.
"No—Blanche——"