14. The Second Body

           Waitingfornomore,Iturnedandranupthepathtotheshed.Thetwomenonguardtherestoodasidetoletmepassand,filledwithexcitement,Ientered.

           Thelightwasdim,theplacewasamereroughwoodenerectiontokeepoldpotsandtoolsin.Ihadenteredimpetuously,butonthethresholdIcheckedmyself,fascinatedbythespectaclebeforeme.

           Giraudwasonhishandsandknees,apockettorchinhishandwithwhichhewasexaminingeveryinchoftheground.Helookedupwithafrownatmyentrance,thenhisfacerelaxedalittleinasortofgood-humouredcontempt.

           “Ah,c’estl’Anglais!Enterthen.Letusseewhatyoucanmakeofthisaffair.”

           Ratherstungbyhistone,Istoopedmyhead,andpassedin.

           “Thereheis,”saidGiraud,flashinghistorchtothefarcorner.

           Isteppedacross.

           Thedeadmanlaystraightuponhisback.Hewasofmediumheight,swarthyofcomplexion,andpossiblyaboutfiftyyearsofage.Hewasneatlydressedinadarkbluesuit,wellcutandprobablymadebyanexpensivetailor,butnotnew.Hisfacewasterriblyconvulsed,andonhisleftside,justovertheheart,thehiltofadaggerstoodup,blackandshining.Irecognizedit.ItwasthesamedaggerIhadseenreposingintheglassjartheprecedingmorning!

           “I’mexpectingthedoctoranyminute,”explainedGiraud.“Althoughwehardlyneedhim.There’snodoubtwhatthemandiedof.Hewasstabbedtotheheart,anddeathmusthavebeenprettywellinstantaneous.”

           “Whenwasitdone?Lastnight?”

           Giraudshookhishead.

           “Hardly.