"Of course it's her foolishness," said Agnes, who had joined the group. She spoke in a whisper, not wanting to brave a reprimand for impertinence. "What does she care for having a new door made, if she can get us all soured up over nothing at all?" Iris said nothing. Only a faint, almost imperceptible tinge remained of the ink stains on her face. She had used vigorous measures, and had succeeded in removing most of the disfigurement. Campbell returned with Purdy. "Ah, now, Mis' Pell, come out o' there," he wheedled, "do now! It's a sin and a shame to bust in this here heavy door. Likewise it ain't no easy matter nohow. I'm not sure me and Purdy can do it. Please, Missis, unlock the door and save us all a lot of trouble." But no sound came in answer. "Let's all be awful still," suggested Purdy, "for quite a time, an' see if she don't make some move." Accordingly each and every one of them scarcely breathed and the silence was intense. "I can't hear a sound," said Campbell, at last, his ear against the keyhole, which was nearly filled by its own key. "I can't hear her breathing. You sure she's in there?" "Of course," said Polly. "Didn't I hear her screamin'? I tell you we _got_ to get in. Joke or no joke, we got to!" "You're right," and Campbell looked serious. "I got ears like a hawk, and I bet I'd hear her breathing if she was in there. Come on, Purdy." The door was thick and heavy, but the lock was a simple one, not a bolt, and the efforts of the two men splintered the jamb and released the door. The sight revealed was overwhelming. The women screamed and the men stood aghast. On the floor lay the body of Ursula Pell, and a glance was sufficient to see that she was dead. Her face was covered with blood and a small pool of it had formed near her head. Her clothing was torn and disordered, and the whole room was in a state of chaos. A table was overturned, and the beautiful lamp that had been on it, lay in shattered bits on the floor. A heavy-handled poker, belonging to the fire set, was lying near Mrs. Pell's head, and the contents of her writing-desk were scattered in mad confusion on chairs and on the floor. A secret cupboard above the mantel, really a small concealed safe, was flung open, and was empty. An empty pocket-book lay on one chair, and an empty handbag on another. But these details were lost sight of in the attention paid to Mrs. Pell herself. "She's dead! she's dead!" wailed Polly. "It wasn't a joke of hers--it was really robbers. She called out 'Thieves!' and 'Help!' several times. Oh, if I'd got you men in sooner!" "But, good land, Polly!" cried Campbell, "what do you mean by thieves? How _could_ anybody get in here with the door locked? Or, if he was in, how could he get out?" "Maybe he's here now!" and Polly gazed wildly about.