Page:Dale - A Marriage Below Zero.djvu/323

Rh He tried a door inside, connecting the two rooms. It was locked.

There was a strange look upon his face as he came out. "I will break open the door," he said. The task was not a hard one. An application of his big shoulder to the frail portal; a not very powerful push, and the lock gave way. We stood inside the room. It was darkened. The proprietor went to the window and drew up the shabby blinds. As much light as the close proximity of another house would allow struggled into the room. It was in complete disorder. The bed had not been slept in. The floor was littered with books, newspapers and clothes.

I turned, and in an old chintz-covered armchair by the fire-place, saw my husband. His face was white, his head was bent slightly forward. He looked as though he had fallen asleep in an uncomfortable position.

"Arthur," I cried, springing forward with a loud cry; but the proprietor, who had been standing by the chair for a minute, came forward and pulled me towards the door.

"He is dead," he said simply.