"Guy has not told you, then," said he, "what caused the shock that
has prostrated our mother?"

"No," she returned, coming quickly back.

"It was the news of Mr. Barrows' death, Agnes; the servants say so,
and the servants ought to know."

"Mr. Barrows' death! Is Mr. Barrows dead, then?" she asked, in a
tone of simple wonder, which convinced me that my surmise of a
moment ago was without any foundation. "I did not know he was sick,"
she went on. "Was his death sudden, that it should affect mother
so?"

A short nod was all her brother seemed to be able to give to this
question. At sight of it I felt the cold chills run through my
veins, and wished that fate had not obliged me to be present at this
conversation.

"How did Mr. Barrows die?" queried Mrs. Harrington, after waiting in
manifest surprise and impatience for her brother to speak.

"He was drowned."

"Drowned?"

"Yes."

"When?"