Mr。Sabinwalkedhometohisroomslateintheafternoon，wellcontentonthewholewithhisday。Hewasinnomannerpreparedfortheshockwhichgreetedhimonenteringhissitting-room。
Dusonwasleaningbackinhismostcomfortableeasy-chair。
“Duson！“Mr。Sabinsaidsharply。“Whatdoesthismean？“
Therewasnoanswer。Mr。Sabinmovedquicklyforward，andthenstoppedshort。Hehadseendeadmen，andheknewthesigns。Dusonwasstonedead。
Mr。Sabin’snerveansweredtothisdemanduponit。Hecheckedhisfirstimpulsetoringthebell，andlookedcarefullyonthetableforsomenoteormessagefromthedeadman。Hefounditalmostatonce-alargeenvelopeinDuson’shandwriting。Mr。Sabinhastilybrokethesealandread: