The Juror: "Not entirely. We are not simply machines. You can advise us, and clear up knotty points, but you cannot dictate to us. Otherwise you might as well hold this inquiry without our aid. The question I put to the witness is a very simple one."
The Coroner: "Very well." (To Reginald.) "Did you obtain admission into your father's house on Friday afternoon in the usual way?"
Reginald: "No. I knocked at the door two or three times, and receiving no answer, admitted myself with a private latchkey I had in my pocket."
The Juror: "You see, Mr. Coroner, I had an object in asking the question."
The Coroner: "How did you become possessed of the latchkey?"
Reginald: "It was one I used when I lived in Catchpole Square with my father. When I left the home I took it with me."
"Having let yourself in, what then did you do?"
"I went upstairs to the office in the expectation of seeing my father. He was not at home. The only person in the house was his clerk, Abel Death."
"You were personally acquainted with Abel Death?"
"Yes."