For answer the butler pointed to the velvet mantle trimmed with costly sables that lay upon the floor.
“It’s heaven’s truth, Sir Vivian! And there lies the proof! ... and here is Mrs. Ansdey to confirm it.�
Both men looked up as the portly figure in its rustling black silken robes hurried down the great staircase.
“Sir Vivian! Oh, welcome home, Sir Vivian, a thousand times!� The housekeeper’s face was very pale, her hands worked nervously, crumpling her fine lace apron. “But something dreadful has happened! it’s written in your face!� she cried, “and God forgive a sinful woman, but I am beginning to believe that I have spoken with a spirit!�
“Cradell tells me that——� Sir Vivian made an upward gesture.
“It’s true,� cried Mrs. Ansdey. “Her ladyship—if ’twas her ladyship—explained that you were delayed. Someone was killed in the railway accident——�
“Someone was killed!�
“And you were coming on after you had seen to the wounded.... She—she would not eat, or drink, or rest; she wished—all she wished was to see the house, and I obeyed, and we went through room after room until—there was a ring at the hall-door bell, and a knocking, and I turned to speak to my lady as we stood together in the painted chamber—and she was gone! Oh, Sir Vivian, what does it all mean?� cried Mrs. Ansdey.
“It means—that!�
As the hall-door opened to admit the bearers with their precious burden, and as the men laid that cold, lovely, smiling image of Death reverently on the settle, the bloodhound wakened from his slumber and rising, uttered a long plaintive howl.