The very very aged man nodded silently. Even his hard and phlegmatic nature wasshaken to the depths.

Harold led the way up the stairs, saying briefly, "Come." The Dietmansfollowed in bewilderment.

"There he is," exclaimed John, pointing to the tall figure, rigid, under theclose-drawn green folds; "we found him here only an hour ago, hung fromthe beam."

A horror-stricken silence fell on the group.

Hans spoke first. "He know dat we know; so he kill himself to save datde hangman have trouble."