"Might the mark have been caused by forcing back the catch of a window?"
Inspector Craikes agreed that it might, but doubted whether so small a knife would have been adequate for such a purpose. The revolver was produced, and the question of ownership raised.
"My lords," put in Sir Impey, "we do not dispute the Duke's ownership of the revolver."
The Court looked surprised, and, after Hardraw the gamekeeper had given evidence of the shot heard at 11:30, the medical evidence was taken.
Sir Impey Biggs: "Could the wound have been self-inflicted?"
"It could, certainly."
"Would it have been instantly fatal?"
"No. From the amount of blood found upon the path it was obviously not immediately fatal."
"Are the marks found, in your opinion, consistent with deceased having crawled towards the house?"
"Yes, quite. He might have had sufficient strength to do so."