“It proceeds from this,” observed Garnet, in the same soft voice as heretofore. “Yes, that is from whence this odour proceeds. Let us return into the next room, my dear madam.”
Mrs. Bourne rose from her seat and went into the front parlour with Doctor Garnet. Amy and the boy made their way into the kitchen, after carefully closing the door of the surgery.
“I shall purposely abstain from making any observations upon the state of mind of my friend, Bourne, prior to his decease. In fact, it will be as well, I think, to say as little as possible upon the subject, certainly not till the inquest is held.”
“Inquest!”
“Yes, my dear madam. There must be an inquest. That is a sine quâ non. It is pretty clearly demonstrated that Bourne has died from the effects of poison, and there can be but little doubt, I think, that he took it of his own free will.”
“What poison has he taken, then?”
“Prussic acid! That is as far as I can judge at present. I must beg of you, my dear friend, not to disturb anything in that room—in fact it had better be locked up, and either you or I will take charge of the key.”
“Oh, you had better do so. I would much prefer it.”
“Well, I will if you wish it. Let us lock the door at once.”
Garnet and Mrs. Bourne went out of the front parlour. The former locked the door of the surgery and placed the key in his pocket; then they returned to the parlour once more.