The light of the swinging-lamp had been lowered, and the interior of the room was veiled in shadow.

Then their eyes detected a dark outline on the floor between the table and the window--the figure of a man, lying athwart the carpet with arms outstretched, face downwards, the spread finger-tips clutching at some heavy dark object between the head and the arms.
Thalassa stepped across the threshold, and with shaking hand turned up the lowered wick of the swinging lamp.

The light revealed the stark form of Robert Turold.

At this sight Mrs.Pendleton broke into a loud cry and essayed to cross the room to her brother's side.
"Keep back, Mrs.Pendleton!" cried Dr.Ravenshaw, interposing himself in front of her.

"I begged of you not to come upstairs.