"No; our informant did not see him again."
Gilbert now resumed the thread of his narrative, telling the inspector all that took place when he and his father went to Silwood's chambers.
The inspector, as Gilbert proceeded, compared his statement with the report made by the policeman who had been summoned by the porter.
"What you tell me," said Gale, when Gilbert had finished, "bears out exactly what my subordinate has set forth. The coroner has been sent for, and we must wait till we hear from him. I shall accompany him when he makes his examination of the body, and I expect a message from him every minute."
"Will you let me go with you?" asked Gilbert. "You must remember that I am engaged to Mr. Thornton's daughter, and so am, therefore, in a measure her representative."
"I have not forgotten that, and I do not know that there is any objection. If you will tell me where I can find you, I'll let you know. I must send you away just now, for I wish to be alone to think—and there is a great deal to think of."
"Very well. I'll stay in the waiting-room outside," and Gilbert left the inspector to his thoughts.
CHAPTER XV
"As strange a case as any I ever heard of," said Inspector Gale to himself, after Gilbert had withdrawn. "Now, what do I know about it exactly? Let me see."