'I was. He has no friends now.'
'You mean he is dead?'
'He must have died within the last quarter of an hour or so.'
'And nothing can be done?'
'Nothing can be done with death!'
'I take it you are a doctor?' said Hugo.
'My name is Darcy,' the other replied. 'Besides being Tudor's friend, I was his physician.'
'Yet even for a physician,' Hugo pursued, 'it seems to me that you have been able to decide very quickly that your friend and patient is dead. I have always understood that to say with assurance that death has taken place means a very careful and thorough examination.'
'You are right,' Darcy agreed, stroking his short, bright, silky beard. 'There is only one absolute proof of death.'
'And that is?'