Scarcely had we concluded our conversation when the police arrived, and
removed the body to the mortuary, in order that the doctor might make
his examination; then, there being nothing to detain me further in the
dead man's chambers, I left in company with the detective, the latter
having given Ash orders not to disturb a single thing in the rooms. If
it were proved that the member for South-West Sussex had actually been
murdered, then another examination of the place would have to be made.
The more I reflected upon the puzzling circumstances, the more
bewildering they became.
I called upon two men, close friends of Roddy's, and told them of the
sad circumstances of his death; how he had died quite suddenly during
his man's absence on a commission.
But I had no need to carry the distressing news, for as I passed the
corner of the Haymarket the men selling the evening papers were holding
the contents bills, whereon were displayed the words in big type,
"Mysterious Death of an M.P." Newspapers are ingenious enough not to
give away their information by putting the name of the deceased, thereby
compelling the public to pay their pennies in order to learn where the
vacancy has been caused by the Avenger. Nowadays the breath is scarcely
out of the body of a Parliamentary representative than the papers
publish the figures of the previous elections and comment on the
political prospects of the division.
I bought a paper, and there saw beneath the brief announcement of
Roddy's death quite a long account of the political position in his
constituency, the name of the opposition candidate, and the majority by
which my friend had been elected. Poor Roddy's death did not appear so
important to that journal as the necessity of wresting the seat from the
Government.
Next afternoon the inquest was held at the St James's Vestry Hall, and
was attended by more newspaper reporters than members of the public. I
arrived early and had a chat with the detective Priestly, who had
questioned Ash, but he told me that nothing further had been discovered.
The usual evidence of identification having been taken, I was called and
described the finding of the body. Then the valet Ash was called in and
related the story which he had already told the detective.
"You have no idea who this lady was whom your master desired to avoid?"
the Coroner asked him.
"No," answered the man.
"And as far as you are aware there was no reason for Mr Morgan taking
his life?"
"None. He was exceedingly merry all the morning, whistling to himself,
and once or twice joking with me when I waited on him at breakfast."
The doctor was then called, and having given his name and stated his
professional qualifications, said--
"When I saw the deceased he was dead. I should think about half an hour
had elapsed since respiration ceased. The room appeared in perfect
order, and there was no sign whatever of foul play. On making a cursory
examination I found one of the hands contracted, the fingers bent in
towards the palm. This morning I made a post-mortem at the mortuary,
and on opening the hand I discovered this within it," and from his vest
pocket he took a piece of white tissue paper, which he opened.
Every neck was craned in Court to catch sight of what had been
discovered, and I standing near him saw as he handed it to the Coroner
that it was a tiny piece of soft black chiffon about half an inch
square, evidently torn from a woman's dress.