"What has happened here?" he demanded.
"Come in," said the detective.
"Whose body is that?"
"It is the body of old Tom Pearce."
"He was murdered," said the man.
"Come in," again commanded the detective.
"Did you know this body was here when you left me a few moments ago?"
"I did not."
In a hoarse voice the stranger asked;
"Has the girl been murdered?"