"
"Would they be able to find again and to know the spot on which they
had found the body?" the lawyer asked.
"Oh, yes," they said, "easily. It was not by the side of any of the
ordinary tracks through the forest--but not very far from one of
them; as if the lady had turned aside from the path, and sought out
a quiet spot to enjoy a siesta without being disturbed."
"It is pretty clear," said the lawyer, "that it has been a case of
sudden death during sleep--probably from disease of the heart. Now,
my friend," he said, turning to the senior of the officials, "you
have only simply to state what we have heard in writing and carry it
to the police. Meantime, it will be as well to remove the body at
once. Let a couple of your people accompany the men who brought it
here--they may as well carry it to the mortuary."
So a sheet was obtained from a neighbouring house, the more
perfectly and decently to cover the body, preparatory to its being
carried through the streets. Ludovico stepped hurriedly forward from
the doorpost, against which he had been leaning, and looked eagerly
once again at the calmly-tranquil and still beautiful face before
they covered it with the sheet. And then the six men took up their
burden, and, with two of the gate-officers marching at their head,
moved off towards the hospital.
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