I snapped the switch, but there was nobody there. Then I saw something in the

far corner which made me drop my cigar and fall into a cold sweat.

 

My guest was lying sprawled on his back. There was a long knife through his

heart which skewered him to the floor.

 

Chapter II.

 

The Milkman Sets Out on his Travels

 

I sat down in an armchair and felt very sick. That lasted for maybe five

minutes, and was succeeded by a fit of the horrors. The poor staring white face

on the floor was more than I could bear, and I managed to get a table-cloth and

cover it. Then I staggered to a cupboard, found the brandy and swallowed several

mouthfuls. I had seen men die violently before; indeed I had killed a few myself

in the Matabele War; but this cold-blooded indoor business was different.

 

Still I managed to pull myself together. I looked at my watch, and saw that it

was half-past ten.

 

An idea seized me, and I went over the flat with a small-tooth comb.

 

There was nobody there, nor any trace of anybody, but I shuttered and bolted all

the windows and put the chain on the door. By this time my wits were coming back

to me, and I could think again. It took me about an hour to figure the thing