‘To dislocation of the spine from a fall over the cliffs.’
‘That’s your opinion, is it?’ remarked the coroner, dubiously.
‘Yes, sir, that’s my opinion,’ replied M‘Coll shortly, as he retired.
The next witness was Crampton. He came tottering into the room, and stood supporting himself on his silver-mounted cane.
‘You are, I believe, the father of the deceased, Mr Crampton,’ began the coroner, scrutinising the old man through his eye-glasses.
‘I am, sir. She was my only child—the only one I had left.’
‘And she was married on the Friday preceding her death?’
‘She was, worse luck!’
‘Was her marriage undertaken with your consent, Mr Crampton?’
At this question, the old man became violently agitated.