Let the body remain as it is until I return." I reflected quickly.

Ought I to let him go or not?
If he had any hand in this business, doubtless he intended to escape.
Well, supposing this were so and he did escapee, that would be a good thing for Heda, and really it was no affair of mine to bring the fellow to justice.

Moreover there was nothing to show that he was guilty; his whole manner seemed to point another way, though of course he might be acting.
"Very well," I replied, "but return as quickly as possible." He stood for a few seconds like a man who is dazed.

It occurred to me that it might have come into his mind with Marnham's death that he had lost his hold over Heda.

But if so he said nothing of it, but only asked-- "Will you go instead of me ?" "On the whole I think not," I replied, "and if I did, the story I should have to tell might not tend to your advantage." "That's true, damn you!" he exclaimed and left the room.
Ten minutes later he was galloping towards Pilgrim's Rest.
Before I departed from the death chamber I examined the place carefully to see if I could find any poison or other deadly thing, but without success.