May, is very sadly. That
is natural--an awful blow. I find myself incapable of grasping it. To
think of so much boyish good spirits and such vitality extinguished in
this way."

"Can we do anything on earth for them?" asked Millicent Fayre-Michell.

"Nothing--nothing. If I may advise, I think we had all better go to
church. By so doing we get out of the way for a time and please dear Sir
Walter. I shall certainly go."

They greeted the suggestion--indeed, clutched at it. Their bewildered
minds welcomed action. They were hushed and perturbed. Death, crashing
in upon them thus, left them more than uncomfortable. Some, at the
bottom of their souls, felt almost indignant that an event so horrible
should have disturbed the level tenor of their lives. They shared the
most profound sympathy for the sufferers as well as for themselves.
Some discovered that their own physical bodies were upset, too, and felt
surprised at the depth of their emotions.

"It isn't as if it were natural," Felix Fayre-Michell persisted. "Don't
imagine that for a moment."

"It's too creepy--I can't believe it," declared his niece. She was
incapable of suffering much for anybody, and her excitement had a
flavour not wholly bitter. She saw herself describing these events at
other house parties. It would be unfair to say that she was enjoying
herself; still she knew nobody at Chadlands very well, it was her first
visit, and adventures are, after all, adventures. Her uncle discussed
the psychic significance of the tragedy, and gave instances of similar
events. One or two listened to him for lack of anything better to do.
There was a general sensation of blankness. They were all thrown. Life
had let them down. Under the circumstances, to most of them it seemed an
excellent idea to go to church. Vane joined them presently. He was able
to give them many details and excite their interest. They crowded round
him, and he spoke nakedly. Death was nothing to him--he had seen so
much. They heard the motor return with Dr. Mannering.

"We're so out of it," said Mr. Miles Handford, a stout man from
Yorkshire--a wealthy landowner and sportsman.

He was unaccustomed to be out of anything in his environment, and he
showed actual irritation.

"Thank Heaven we are, I should think!" answered another; and the first
speaker frowned at him.

Ernest Travers joined them presently. He had put on a black tie and wore
black gloves and a silk hat.

"If you accompany me,