The servants were recalled and closely re-examined. They were still quite consistent.
The bottle of claret had been opened and decanted by Waters. He had placed it on the sideboard. No one else had touched it. The servants were all devoted to their master. There was not the slightest reason or motive for foul play on their part.
I noticed the detective sitting with the representatives of the county police, the chief constable himself being present. I smiled grimly as I surveyed all the materials for a very dramatic arrest.
The coroner then called me.
“After the ladies had withdrawn from the dinner-table on the evening in question you were left alone with Lord Gascoyne?”
“That is so.”
“He was called out of the room and a servant entered whilst he was away?”
“Yes.”
“Who declares that you had in your hand the claret decanter from which Lord Gascoyne had been drinking.”
“I don’t remember. The servant took the decanter from me and poured out some port.”