“Certainly. There was nothing else to it, absolutely nothing.”
“I’m not so sure of it,” said Nick.
“Coming from any one else, Nick, I should laugh derisively at that,” Doctor Lyons replied, with a look of surprise. “Coming from you, however, it demands serious consideration. What do you mean?”
“I’m not prepared to say,” Nick rejoined. “I have just begun to look into the case at the request of Mrs. Darling. When I learn anything definite, Lyons, I will make it a point to inform you.”
“That’s good enough for me,” said the physician. “But I really think, Nick, that you are on a wild-goose chase. There’s nothing to it. Darling committed suicide, Nick, as sure as you’re alive.”
“It will be wise to report nothing different at present,” said Nick. “You may be right, of course, and I may drop the case within twenty-four hours.”
“I’ll wager you will.”
“I would like to know how you sized up the circumstances, nevertheless,” Nick went on. “Darling left a note which stated his suicidal intention, then went to the boathouse and set it on fire, immediately shooting himself. That is your opinion, I understand, briefly stated?”
“Yes, that is about the size of it,” admitted the physician.
“Were you among the first to view the remains?”