"Because Mr. Gryce requested me to. Because the family as well as the young man himself had evinced some apprehension lest the deceased might prove to be his missing wife, and this seemed a likely way to settle the question."
"And did it? Did he acknowledge it to be a mark he remembered to have seen on his wife?"
"He said she had such a scar, but he would not acknowledge the deceased to be his wife."
"Did he see the scar?"
"No; he would not look at it."
"Did you invite him to?"
"I did; but he showed no curiosity."
Doubtless thinking that silence would best emphasize this fact, which certainly was an astonishing one, the Coroner waited a minute. But there was no silence. An indescribable murmur from a great many lips filled up the gap. I felt a movement of pity for the proud family whose good name was thus threatened in the person of this young gentleman.
"Doctor," continued the Coroner, as soon as the murmur had subsided, "did you notice the color of the woman's hair?"
"It was a light brown."