"By George!" he exclaimed, under his breath.

His pipe went out; for many minutes he stared with set face at the skull, as if it had spoken to him and its voice had transfixed him where he stood.

Then he tossed his pipe upon the table, collected his service equipment and strapped it in his pack.
After that he returned to the table with a pad of paper and a pencil and sat down.

His face was strangely white as he took the skull in his hands.
"I'll do it, so help me all the gods, I'll do it!" he breathed excitedly.

"M'sieur, a woman killed you---as much as Bucky Nome, a woman did it.