'I suppose, gentlemen, that there's no doubt whatever that he's dead?'
Hancock was unable to conceal his amusement.
'Are you suggesting, Mr. Howarth, that we don't know our business, or that I don't know mine? That is the late Marquis; the present Marquis is here.' He motioned with one hand towards the bed, with the other towards Reggie. To Reggie he addressed himself. 'I beg, my lord, to offer you my congratulations. I will not disguise from you that I am aware that this is an occasion on which you are entitled to receive them. We all know that your late brother was not all that he ought to be, and that he has been to you the occasion of great, long-continued, and undeserved anxiety. That burden has now been happily removed. I am sure that in the future your noble house will be worthily represented.'
'Thank you. I hope you're right.'
After all, Hancock was a prosy old fool.
'Is there anything else I can do for you, or arrange before I go? Dr. White has kindly promised to see that the late Marquis receives all proper attention.'
'Much obliged; but Mr. Howarth will see to everything.'
'I will see to the funeral.' This was Foster.
'Well, Mr. Howarth has undertaken----'
'Quite right, Reggie, I will see to everything--including the funeral, Mr. Foster. We don't propose to trouble you more than we can help.'