Another thrilling silence followed; then-- "The Lord be merciful!" gasped a house-maid.

"She's been murdered, and we in our beds!" Sybilla Silver, leaning lightly against the railing, turned authoritatively to Edwards: "Take your master to his room, Edwards.

It is no use of lingering here now; we must wait until morning.

Some awful deed has been done, but it may not be my lady murdered." "How comes her shawl there, then ?" asked the old butler.

"Why can't she be found in the house ?" "I don't know.