It was natural that a boy of fifteen should be somewhat agitated at seeing such a father shot through the head before his eyes.

His situation was rendered doubly grave by the suspicions which were instantly engendered as to the probable origin of the attempt.

It was already whispered in the hall that the gentlemen who had been so officious in slaying the assassin, were his accomplices, who--upon the principle that dead men would tell no tales--were disposed, now that the deed was done, to preclude inconvenient revelations as to their own share in the crime.

Maurice, notwithstanding these causes for perturbation, and despite his grief at his father's probable death, remained steadily by the body of the murderer.

He was determined, if possible, to unravel the plot, and he waited to possess himself of all papers and other articles which might be found upon the person of the deceased.
A scrupulous search was at once made by the attendants, and everything placed in the young Count's own hands.