An ejaculation of amazement fell from his lips as he quickly
drew his ever-ready, masked lantern; one moment he stood
irresolute, and then advanced again to the cabin door. He
thrust forward his lantern; the sharp ray of light penetrated
and dispersed the pervading darkness, and, as stated, a sight
met his gaze that for the moment froze the blood in his veins.
No light had been set, but a light had been extinguished, put
out forever--the light of life in the body of Tom Pearce.
We say a light had been put out; it had not burned out, as the
first object that met the gaze of the detective was the body
of Tom Pearce.
There was not a question as to the fact that crime had been
done. The method of the deep damnation of the old boatman's
taking off was plainly apparent.
"Can they both have been murdered" were words which fell in a
hoarse whisper from the pallid lips of the detective.
Vance at the first glance concluded that Pearce was the victim
of the vengeance of the smugglers, and if they would kill the
old man they would not spare the girl.
It was the latter thought that caused the detective's heart to
stand still, and when he did partially recover his nerve, his
starting eyes moved round in search of the body of the girl.
He stepped into the room, and with tottering steps moved over
to the door of the adjoining room, the chamber of Renie.
The door was closed, and the detective could not muster the
nerve to open it, and a moan of anguish burst from him.
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