Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram from the major, imploring me to come at once.

My father had fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull.

I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered his consciousness.

He had, as it appears, been returning from Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of murder.

There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads.
And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been woven round him.
"In this sinister way I came into my inheritance.