Thrown across the counterpane lay the nightgown he had worn. I
took it up and saw some spots on it. I looked at them a little
closer. They were spots of blood.
CHAPTER V.
THE first amazement and alarm produced by this discovery deprived
me of my presence of mind. Without stopping to think what I ought
to do first, I ran back to the servants' hall, calling out that
something had happened to my master.
All the household hurried directly into the Red Room, Josephine
among the rest. I was first brought to my senses, as it were, by
observing the strange expression of her countenance when she saw
the bed-gown and the empty room. All the other servants were
bewildered and frightened. She alone, after giving a little
start, recovered herself directly. A look of devilish
satisfaction broke out on her face, and she left the room quickly
and quietly, without exchanging a word with any of us. I saw
this, and it aroused my suspicions. There is no need to mention
what they were, for, as events soon showed, they were entirely
wide of the mark.
Having come to myself a little, I sent them all out of the room
except the coachman. We two then examined the place.
The Red Room was usually occupied by visitors. It was on the
ground floor, and looked out into the garden.
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