It’s old Mr. Bartle, sir, he whispered. He’s in your room there – dead!
Dead? exclaimed Eldrick. Dead! Pratt shook his head again. He came up not so long after you’d gone, sir, he said. Everybody had gone but me – I was just going. Wanted to see you about something I don’t know what. He was very tottery when he came in – complained of the stairs and the fog. I took him into your room, to sit down in the easy chair. And – he died straight off. Just, concluded Pratt, just as if he was going quietly to sleep!
You’re sure he is dead? – not fainting? asked Eldrick. He’s dead, sir – quite dead, replied Pratt. I’ve rung up Dr. Melrose – he’ll be here in a minute or two – and the Town Hall – the police – as well. Will you look at him, sir?