"Murdered!" Drelincourt staggered back a pace or two, and then, putting forth his right hand, he caught hold of an oak sapling and gripped it hard. For a few seconds his body rocked like that of a man whose brain has been stunned and dizzied by some great shock.
"That is indeed a terrible discovery to have made," he went on, after a pause. "Kate dead! It seems incredible; altogether beyond belief."
"For all that, it is true."
"But what possible motive could any one have for the commission of such a crime?"
Roden's thin lips tightened. Evidently the question was one which he either would not or could not answer.
"When and by whom was the discovery made?" asked Mr. Drelincourt, after a brief pause.
"It was made by Lucille, nearly a couple of hours ago. She went as usual to take her mistress an early cup of chocolate, and--and found her dead in bed."
"Go on. Tell me all the particulars known to you."
"Mrs. Drelincourt had been stabbed to the heart, most probably while she was asleep."
"So! Has the weapon with which the deed was committed been found?"