“DEAD,” SAID Sneed, unnecessarily, as they went slowly up the five stairs that brought them to the top landing.
There was no sign of violence, and they now saw what kept the body erect. She had been kneeling on a low settee which ran flush with the banisters, and by the accident of balance, when death had come, had retained her position. Reverently they lowered the body to the ground, whilst the inspector conducted a brief examination.
“Fright,” he said briefly. “I saw a man like this about ten years ago. She saw something—horrible!”
“Has she got anything in her hand?” asked d**k suddenly, and prised open the tightly clenched fingers.
As he did so something fell to the parquet floor with a clang, and he uttered an exclamation of amazement.
It was a key—the fellow to that which reposed
