The men got up and turned about. There was dead silence in a moment.
"When?"
"Now."
"No. What body?"
She flew off without waiting to explain. The kitchen was too far away. Hugh Ritson's room opened from the first landing of the stairs. The stairs went up almost from the porch. Darting up, she threw open the door of Hugh's room. Hugh was sitting at the table, examining papers by a lamp.
"Have you seen Paul?" she cried, in an agonized whisper, and with a panic-stricken look.
Hugh dropped the papers and rose stiffly to his feet.
"Great God! Where?"
"Here—this moment!"
Their eyes met. He did not answer. He was very pale. Had she dreamed? She looked down at the snow-crusted lantern in her hand. It must have been all a dream.