The Coroner: "Why did you go out that way?"
Witness: "Because it was quicker than unbolting either the front door or the back door."
At this point a plan of Riddlesdale Lodge was handed to the jury. It is a roomy, two-storied house, built in a plain style, and leased by the present owner, Mr. Walter Montague, to Lord Denver for the season, Mr. Montague being in the States.
Witness (resuming): "When I got to the conservatory door I saw a man outside, bending over something on the ground. When he looked up I was astonished to see my brother."
The Coroner: "Before you saw who it was, what did you expect?"
Witness: "I hardly know—it all happened so quickly. I thought it was burglars, I think."
The Coroner: "His grace has told us that when you saw him you cried out, 'O God! you've killed him!' Can you tell us why you did that?"
Witness (very pale): "I thought my brother must have come upon the burglar and fired at him in self-defense—that is, if I thought at all."
The Coroner: "Quite so. You knew that the Duke possessed a revolver?"
Witness: "Oh, yes—I think so."