I'm a little mad about it, I
fancy--all collectors are a little mad. But I want that cabinet, and
I'm going to have it."
I did not reply. I only looked at him. And he laughed as he caught my
glance.
"I can see you share that opinion, Lester," he said. "You fear for
me. I don't blame you--but come and see it."
He led the way out of the room and down the stairs; but when we
reached the lower hall, he paused.
"Perhaps I'd better see my visitor first," he said. "You'll find a
new picture or two over there in the music-room--I'll be with you in
a minute."
I started on, and he turned through a doorway at the left.
An instant later, I heard a sharp exclamation; then his voice calling
me.
"Lester! Come here!" he cried.
I ran back along the hall, into the room which he had entered. He was
standing just inside the door.
"Look there," he said, with a queer catch in his voice, and pointed
with a trembling hand to a dark object on the floor.
I moved aside to see it better. Then my heart gave a sickening throb;
for the object on the floor was the body of a man.
CHAPTER II
THE FIRST TRAGEDY
It needed but a glance to tell me that the man was dead.
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