"Did it not strike you as singular that it should be there?"
"Not at all. Mr. Ollivera never travelled anywhere without a pistol; it was a fancy he had. Some years ago, when in a remote part of Spain, he was attacked in his chamber at night, robbed, and rather seriously hurt; since then he has when travelling taken a pistol with him. I asked him what brought it on the table, and he said he had been putting a drop of oil on the lock.
"Did you know that it was loaded?"
"I did not. I really did not think much about it one way or the other. We were busy over the business on which I came down: and I knew as I have said, that he used to carry a pistol with him when travelling."
"Then--in point of fact, Mr. Greatorex, you can throw no positive light on this affair for us?"
The witness shook his head. "I wish I could. I have told you all I know."
"Do you think there can be any reasonable doubt--any doubt whatever--that he committed suicide?"
"I fear there can be none," replied Mr. Greatorex, in a low tone, and he shivered perceptibly as he gave it. It was a crime which Bede Greatorex had always held in shrinking, pitying abhorrence.
"One question more, and then we will release you and thank you for the clear manner in which you have given your evidence," said the coroner. "Did you see cause to suspect in that last interview that his mind was otherwise than in a sane state?"
"Oh no; certainly not."