"In the hope that she might not be dead, and that something might be done to revive her, I managed, with great difficulty, to get the cord untied and off her neck."
"What authority did you have for that? I suppose you know that it is the coroner's duty to do things of that sort?"
"Yes; but, besides being a deputy marshal, I am also deputy coroner."
"I see. What did you do with the cord?"
"I don't remember. Oh, yes. I think I put it in my pocket. Yes, here it is."
"Let me see it. Why, this is very peculiar. Do you know what sort of a cord this is?"
"I don't. I never saw one like it before."
"I have. Notice its thickness, and how closely it is woven, and that it is strong as a piece of wire."
"Yes, I noticed that when I found it. What sort of cord is it?"
"Japanese."