"Suppose you both come and lunch with me to-morrow, will you?" he asked. To this they agreed and it was finally arranged that Fandor should call and pick them up at one o'clock the following day.
The journalist felt his way downstairs in the semi-darkness and was just about to ask the concièrge to let him out when he was startled by seeing a heavy form fall with a thud onto the ground of the inner court.
With a gasp of alarm the young man rushed forward and quickly realized that he was in the presence of a terrible tragedy.
Lying on the ground, inert, was the body of Susy d'Orsel.
The unfortunate girl had fallen from the third floor.
Without hesitating, he lifted the body and finding no sign of life, cried loudly for help.
But the entire house was asleep.
What was to be done?
Immediate action was necessary. After a moment's pause, he decided to take the unfortunate girl back to her own apartment. Arrived at the door, he found it locked on the inside. After ringing for some time, it was opened finally by the King. At the sight of Susy apparently lifeless, her head hanging backward, the King staggered to the wall.
He wanted to ask a question, but the words stuck in his throat.