‘There is a doubt in law, I say; but that, of course, we shall be able to get over. We shall prove the loss of the vessel; we shall ascertain that Mr. Egerton was on board; that he was left on board; that he is not among the survivors, who can all be accounted for; and that, as a matter of fact, he is, as Mr. Grigg very sympathetically and, I may say, very poetically observed, at the bottom of the deep blue sea—in other words, that he is dead. You, Mr. Symonds, I believe, were the last man to leave the vessel when the boats put off? ‘I were, cap’en.’
‘And you left Mr. Egerton on board?’
‘There was a passenger o’ that name, and I left him aboard.’
‘Both boats were picked up, I believe, by a passing vessel on the second day?’
‘They was,’ answered Mr Symonds.
‘And you are quite certain the passenger known as Mr. Egerton was not on board either of the boats?’
‘Sartin.’
‘I think, Dr. Birnie, that is satisfactory?’ said Limpet, turning to the gentleman addressed.
‘Quite,’ said the doctor, with a bow.
‘Dr. Birnie, I should say, that all present may understand the position, is left sole executor of our—I fear I must say, in fact, I will say—our late client’s will. He therefore is interested in proving the death of our late client. Mrs. Turvey—ahem!