small local police station, in charge of Sergeant Wilson of the
Sussex Constabulary. Cecil Barker, much excited, had rushed up
to the door and pealed furiously upon the bell. A terrible
tragedy had occurred at the Manor House, and John Douglas had
been murdered. That was the breathless burden of his message.
He had hurried back to the house, followed within a few minutes
by the police sergeant, who arrived at the scene of the crime a
little after twelve o'clock, after taking prompt steps to warn
the county authorities that something serious was afoot.

On reaching the Manor House, the sergeant had found the
drawbridge down, the windows lighted up, and the whole household
in a state of wild confusion and alarm. The white-faced servants
were huddling together in the hall, with the frightened butler
wringing his hands in the doorway. Only Cecil Barker seemed to
be master of himself and his emotions; he had opened the door
which was nearest to the entrance and he had beckoned to the
sergeant to follow him. At that moment there arrived Dr. Wood, a
brisk and capable general practitioner from the village. The
three men entered the fatal room together, while the
horror-stricken butler followed at their heels, closing the door
behind him to shut out the terrible scene from the maid servants.

The dead man lay on his back, sprawling with outstretched limbs
in the centre of the room. He was clad only in a pink dressing
gown, which covered his night clothes. There were carpet
slippers on his bare feet. The doctor knelt beside him and held
down the hand lamp which had stood on the table. One glance at
the victim was enough to show the healer that his presence could
be dispensed with. The man had been horribly injured. Lying