I dragged his hand through my arm, and we followed in the rear of the sad procession. All the way up to the house he did not speak, nor did I trouble him with questions. I saw that his misery had made him dumb for the time being--in short, he was in a stunned condition. I dreaded, however, the return tide of strong emotion which must inevitably follow this apparent calm. I guessed that Carleton was a man of strong sensibilities. I could read character well--most men in my profession have much practice in this art. The human eye tells a doctor a good deal. The lips may falter out certain utterances, which the eyes will belie. I read truth and sincerity in the honest eyes of this young man. He was intensely reserved--he was jealous to a morbid degree--he in all probability possessed anything but a good temper; nevertheless, his eyes were honest, and I felt certain that he had nothing whatever to do with poor Randall's death. Nevertheless, I knew well that appearances were strongly against him. When we got to the house I turned to him and said, abruptly:-- "I should like to see you in Brabazon's smoking-room in about half an hour." He raised sullen eyes to my face. "Come," I said, laying my hand on his shoulder, "I tell you at once I do not believe that you killed that poor fellow, but we must talk the matter over. I am anxious to be your friend. It is absolutely necessary that you should confide in someone. I am as unbiased in my views of the whole situation as man can be. Come and talk to me in half an hour in the smoking-room." He did not say a word, but I knew by the way in which he suddenly grasped my hand that he would come. The dead man was carried into the library, where he was laid reverently on a table. Brabazon then had a consultation with me as to the best means of breaking the news to Lord and Lady Hartmore. Poor Randall was their only son; it was a terrible business altogether, and Brabazon was naturally greatly distressed. I asked after Miss Farnham. He told me that she had gone straight to her room. His tone was scarcely sympathetic, and I looked at him in wonder. "I have no patience with her," he exclaimed. "She has behaved very badly--this awful thing would not have occurred but for her. She has driven poor Carleton----" I put up my hand to arrest the words. "Hush!" I exclaimed. "You surely don't----?" He laughed aloud in his agitation. "I surely do," he began. "There, Halifax, we won't give the thing a name to-night. Of course, there must be a coroner's inquest." "Yes," I replied. "It is a terrible thing altogether," continued Brabazon; "and to think of its happening here. And to Randall, of all people--a man with his expectations. Well, it is a lesson which Miss Farnham may well lay to heart."