stunned by these repeated shocks. So Hobbs took charge.

"It's a sad errand you're on, sir," he said. "Death comes to all of us,
man an' beast alike, but it's a terrible thing when a lady like Miss--
Mrs. ----"

"Ingerman is my name, but my wife will certainly be alluded to by the
press as Miss Melhuish."

"When a lady like Miss Melhuish is knocked on the 'ead like a--"

Mr. Hobbs hesitated again. He also felt that the situation was rather
beyond him.

"But my wife was flung into the river and drowned," said Ingerman sadly.

"No, sir. She was killed fust. It was a brutal business, so I'm told."

"Do you mean that she was struck, her skull battered?" came the demand,
in an awed and soul-thrilling whisper.

"Yes, sir. An' the wust thing is, none of us can guess who could
ha' done it."

"Lay yer five quid to one, Hobbs, that the police cop the scoundrel afore
this day fortnight," cried Elkin noisily.

Then Mr. Siddle put in a mild word.

"Gentlemen," he said, "let me remind you that we four will probably be