At that moment there arrived Dr.Wood, a brisk and capable general practitioner from the village.
The three men entered the fatal room together, while the horror-stricken butler followed at their heels, closing the door behind him to shut out the terrible scene from the maid servants.
The dead man lay on his back, sprawling with outstretched limbs in the centre of the room.

He was clad only in a pink dressing gown, which covered his night clothes.

There were carpet slippers on his bare feet.
The doctor knelt beside him and held down the hand lamp which had stood on the table.

One glance at the victim was enough to show the healer that his presence could be dispensed with.

The man had been horribly injured.