“If, for example, the deceased had been looking out of the window, and the sash had shut violently down upon him?”
“No; in that case there would have been signs of strangulation and a bruise upon the throat as well.”
“But deceased might have been killed through a heavy weight accidentally falling upon him?”
“He might.”
“Was death instantaneous, in your opinion?”
“It is difficult to say. Such a blow might very well cause death instantaneously, or the patient might linger in a partially paralyzed condition for some time. In the present case I should be disposed to think that deceased might have lingered for some hours. I base my decision upon the condition of the brain revealed at the autopsy. I may say, however, that Dr. Grimbold and I are not in complete agreement on the point.”
“I understand that a suggestion has been made as to the identification of the deceased. You are not in a position to identify him?”
“Certainly not. I never saw him before. The suggestion to which you refer is a preposterous one, and ought never to have been made. I was not aware until this morning that it had been made; had it been made to me earlier, I should have known how to deal with it, and I should like to express my strong disapproval of the unnecessary shock and distress inflicted upon a lady with whom I have the honour to be acquainted.”
The Coroner: It was not my fault, Sir Julian; I had nothing to do with it; I agree with you that it was unfortunate you were not consulted.
The reporters scribbled busily, and the court asked each other what was meant, while the jury tried to look as if they knew already.