Date of subject's death—May 27th.
Place of death—Village of Branchville (near Hickwood).
Verdict of coroner—Death from natural causes (heart failure or apoplexy).
Body claimed by—Paul Durgin (nephew).
Body interred where—Shipped to Vermont for burial.
Suspicious circumstances—Beneficiary paid once before on claim for similar amount, death of risk having been equally sudden and unexplained.
Remarks—The body was found on the porch of an empty house (said by superstitious neighbors to be haunted). It was found in sitting posture, leaning against post of porch. No signs of violence except a green stain on one knee. Deceased uncommonly neat. There is no grass growing before the empty house, owing to heavy shade of trees. No signs of struggle near house. Details supplied by old woman, Mrs. Webber, whose son found deceased. Our company not represented, either at inquest or afterward, as no notification of subject's death was filed until the 31st inst.
At the bottom, written in pencil, appeared the words:
"Quiet case. Steffas."
That was all. Garrison turned the paper. There was nothing on the reverse. Placing it face upward on the table, he thrust his hands into his pockets and looked at Mr. Wicks.