It was a tragedy to shake the strongest nerves, and they turned with relief toward Maybelle, who looked more natural, her eyes and lips closed, only her stillness and corpse-like pallor betraying that death was there. Above her heart was a clot of dried blood that had flowed from a dagger-thrust given by her own hand, for just beneath her touch lay the shining steel.
Alva and St. George contemplated the awful sight in horror too deep for words. With their arms about each other, they gazed and gazed, shuddering and trembling with pity, for their generous hearts forgot the wrong-doing of the pair in sympathy for the strange fate that had overtaken them.
At last rousing himself to the exigencies of the moment, Beresford sighed heavily and said:
“We must go and tell the driver of this awful discovery, and send him back to Mount Vernon with the news.”
They went to the driver, who was so astounded he could hardly credit the story.
Curiosity conquered his dread of Suicide Place for once, and he followed them into the gloomy portals to gaze with awe on the sickening sight of the two suicides, then willingly agreed to drive back into town to spread the news and summon the coroner.
Alva insisted on remaining with her brother.
“We have not found Floy yet, you know,” she said.
“Shall we resume our search?” he asked.
“It would be better than remaining in this room,” she shuddered, and was turning away, when her pitying gaze, that had rested on Maybelle’s ghastly face, suddenly returned to it in amazement.