"Nothing at all. He was just as he always was, and very glad to see me. We"--the witness paused to swallow his emotion--"we had ever been the best of friends and companions. I thought him a little quiet, dull. As he sat, he bent his forehead on his hand and complained of headache, saying it had been close in court that day."
("True enough," murmured Mr. Kene.)
"The news you brought down to him was not bad news?" questioned the coroner.
"Quite the contrary. It was good: favourable to our cause."
"Did you see him write the note found on his table, or any portion of it?"
"When the servant showed me into the room, he appeared to be writing a note. As he sat down after shaking hands with me, he put the blotting paper over what he had written. He did not take it off again, or write at all while I remained."
"Was it the same note, think you, that was afterwards found?"
"I should think it likely. I noticed that some few lines only were written. About"--the witness paused a moment--"about the same quantity as in the first portion of the note."
"Did he put the blotting paper over it to prevent you seeing it, do you suppose, Mr. Greatorex?"
"I do not know. I thought he was only afraid it might get blotted. The ink was wet."