“And if no bottle were found you would regard it as a case of murder?”
“If the murderer had any sense he would leave the bottle near at hand to give the appearance of suicide.”
“But murderers—sometimes forget—these little—”
“They do, fortunately for the law. Nine murderers out of ten are hanged by their own mistakes. But what is your sudden interest in poison cases? Have you one in—?”
“I have—Sir Philip Clevedon—”
“Sir Philip Clevedon!” I echoed, for once surprised into showing my astonishment.
“Aye,” Dr. Crawford said slowly. “He died from prussic acid poisoning and the hatpin was thrust through his heart—after he was dead.”
CHAPTER VII
EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST
I took my place at the jury table for the resumed inquest with considerably quickened anticipations. Dr. Crawford’s story had introduced new factors into the case which promised added interest and a still more involved mystery, though with a possibility of suicide and, it might be, a vivid and fascinating life story. Not that I indulged in any speculations. I wanted only facts and those I expected the inquest to afford. I was not disappointed. Of course, the doctor’s evidence startled everybody.
“And what was the cause of death?” the coroner asked, when Dr. Crawford had concluded his preliminary evidence.