Mr. Gryce nodded, and put the gloves back in his pocket. With them he seemed to pocket some of his geniality and patience.
"All these facts have been gone over before you came in," said he, which statement I beg to consider as open to doubt.
The doctor, who had hardly moved a muscle during all this colloquy, now rose from his kneeling position beside the girl's head.
"I shall have to ask the presence of another physician," said he. "Will you send for one from your office, Coroner Dahl?"
At which I stepped back and the Coroner stepped forward, saying, however, as he passed me:
"The inquest will be held day after to-morrow in my office. Hold yourself in readiness to be present. I regard you as one of my chief witnesses."
I assured him I would be on hand, and, obeying a gesture of his finger, retreated from the room; but I did not yet leave the house. A straight, slim man, with a very small head but a very bright eye, was leaning on the newel-post in the front hall, and when he saw me, started up so alertly I perceived that he had business with me, and so waited for him to speak.
"You are Miss Butterworth?" he inquired.
"I am, sir."
"And I am a reporter from the New York World. Will you allow me——"