"mr. delamere," said the inspector, "you discovered the body?"

"i did," replied the clergyman, with a shiver.

"were you alone when you found it?"

"yes. i had been walking with mr. bolsover for about quarter of an hour. then he turned back to find some of the others, and i strolled on to the river."

"did you meet any one else?"

"no."

"you saw nothing of this young man, layton, who was chased towards the river by mr. bolsover?"

"nothing whatever."

"no sounds of a struggle?"

"no. i heard nothing."

[pg 88]"was the body lying in your path?"

"no. some distance aside. i saw something white on the ground in one of the lightning flashes, and went to see what it was."

"i shall have to ask you to return here at ten o'clock, to show me the exact spot."

"certainly."

"thank you, mr. delamere."