Curzon makes a step towards her.
At this moment the door is thrown suddenly open, and a man--evidently a professional man--advances into the room.
"Sir Thaddeus," begins he, in a slow, measured way.
The professor stops dead short.

Even Perpetua looks amazed.
"I regret to be the messenger of bad news, sir," says the solemn man in black.

"They told me I should find you here.

I have to tell you, Sir Thaddeus, that your brother, the late lamented Sir Hastings, is dead." The solemn man spread his hands abroad..