"I sent him off to get Ricketts. I thought it better to give him something to do; for as you say, as you have guessed, he was very much over-wrought and upset. Of course Ricketts can do nothing, but I thought he had better be sent for. And to tell you the truth, I wanted to give Dick a job."
"Has anyone told General Lingard, Mallet?"
"No. He went out for a walk before breakfast—an odd thing to do, but it seems he generally does go out every morning. They're expecting him in in a few minutes. Would you like me to tell him?"
"I should be grateful if you would. And after you've told him, Mallet, I should like to see him—just for a few moments. My poor wife was very fond of him. You know he's engaged to Jane Oglander?"
"Yes. Dick told me. But I understood it was a secret?"
"Yes—yes, so it is."
"Mrs. Maule? Dead? An overdose of chloral?"
Lingard repeated what the doctor had just said very quietly, but he stammered out the words, and his face had gone an ashen grey colour.
They were in the dining-room. Breakfast had only been laid for two.