The Coroner: "You need not answer that question."
"I wish to answer every question. I did know it, and I knew that there was no fault on my husband's part. It was my hope that his illness would lead to a reconciliation between them. I thank God that my husband is spared to me, but if he had died I should never have forgiven myself if I had not made the attempt to bring his father to him."
"Thank you, Mrs. Boyd; that is all we have to ask."
A buzz of admiration ran through the court as Florence returned to her seat by Reginald's side.
Dr. Talbot Rowbottom, of Harley Street, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and a doctor of medicine, was then called.
"You examined the body of the deceased?"
"Yes, on Sunday, at the request of Mr. Reginald Boyd, who wrote me a note to that effect. I had read of the discovery of the body in the newspapers, and, anticipating an inquest, I called first upon you, as coroner of the district, and received your permission to make the examination."
"Did the deceased die a natural death?"
"No. He met his death by strangulation."
"You have no doubt upon the subject?"