"It's little wonder you can't believe it. The thing is so extraordinary. It's incredible. A man without an enemy in the world--no robbery attempted--sitting in his own library--in just about the most peaceful and out of the way county in Scotland--not a sound heard by anybody--not a reason that one can possibly imagine--and yet murdered!" "But it must have been a robber surely!" "Why didn't he rob something then?" "But how else----?" "How indeed! You've not a suspicion of any one yourself, Miss Farmond? Say it right out if you have. We don't lynch here. At least," he corrected himself as he recalled the telegraph posts, "it hasn't been done yet." "I _can't_ suspect any one!" she said earnestly. "I never met any one in my life that I could possibly imagine doing such a thing!" "No," he said. "I guess our experiences have been pretty different. I've met lots, but then there are none of those boys here. Who is there in this place?" He paused and stared into space. "It must have been a tramp--some one who doesn't belong here!" "I was trying to think whether there are any lunatics about," he said in a moment. "But there aren't any." There was silence for some minutes. He was thinking; she never moved. Then he heard a sound, and looking down saw that she had her handkerchief in her hand. He had nearly bent over her before he remembered Sir Malcolm, and at the recollection he said abruptly: "Well, I've disturbed you too long. If I can do anything--anything whatever, you'll let me know, won't you?" "You are very, very kind," she murmured, and a note in her voice nearly made him forget the new baronet. In fact, he had to retire rather quickly to be sure of himself. The efficiency of James Bisset was manifest at every conjuncture. Businesslike and brisk he appeared from somewhere as Cromarty reached the hall, and led him from the front regions to the butler's sitting room. "I will bring your lunch in a moment, sir," he murmured, and vanished briskly. The room looked out on a courtyard at the back, and through the window Ned could see against the opposite buildings the rain driving in clouds. In the court the wind was eddying, and beneath some door he could hear it drone insistently. Though the toughest of men, he shivered a little and drew up a wicker chair close in front of the fire. "It's incredible!" he murmured, and as he stared at the flames this thought seemed to haunt him all the time. Bisset laid the table and another hour passed. Ned ate a little lunch and then smoked and stared at the fire while the wind droned and blustered without ceasing, and occasionally a cross gust sent the rain drops softly pattering on the panes. "I'm damned if I see a thing!" he suddenly exclaimed half aloud, and jumped to his feet.