"Nothing," replied Warrisden.
The doctor looked again at the dead man. Then he turned to Warrisden, mistaking him, as the others had done, for some relation or near friend.
"I can give no certificate," said he.
"There must be an inquest?"
"Yes."
Then the doctor moved suddenly to the table, which stood a few feet from the armchair. There was a decanter upon it half filled with a liquid like brown sherry, only a little darker. The doctor removed the stopper and raised the decanter to his nose.
"Ah!" said he, in a voice of comprehension. He turned again to Warrisden.
"Did you know?" he asked.
"No."
The doctor held the decanter towards Warrisden. Warrisden took it, moistened the tip of a finger with the liquid, and tasted it. It had a bitter flavour.