"The doctor has arrived, sir," he announced.
"You had better show him in," Wingate replied. "And, Grant."
"Yes, sir?"
"It would be as well, I think, to let her ladyship be informed that Lord
Dredlinton is ill--very ill."
The man bowed and stood on one side as the doctor entered. The latter
paused for a moment in astonishment as he looked upon the scene. Then he
moved towards one of the windows and threw it up.
"If Lord Dredlinton has been sitting for long in an atmosphere like
this," he observed drily, "it's enough to have killed him."
He glanced around with an air of distaste at Phipps and Rees, at the
debris of the presumed debauch, and stooped over the body stretched
upon the sofa. His examination lasted barely a minute. Then he rose
to his feet.
"Lord Dredlinton is dead," he announced in a shocked tone.
"I feared so," Wingate murmured.
"Will you call in some servants?" the doctor went on. "I should like the
body carried into his lordship's bedroom at once."
Grant appeared, quickly followed by two of his subordinates. The
melancholy little procession left the room, and Shields turned to
follow it. As he reached the door, he hesitated and glanced around
towards Wingate.
"Mr. Wingate," he said, "I wish to hear what the doctor has to say
concerning Lord Dredlinton's death, but I also wish to have another
word with you before you leave the house.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230