“In this instance Mr. Quiller had no question to ask of the witnesses, and it was generally understood that the prisoner did not wish to contradict their statement.

“Constable Hartrick told the story of the finding of the unfortunate Mr. Morton after his four days’ incarceration.  The constable had been sent round by the chief inspector, after certain information given by Mrs. Chapman, the landlady of Russell House.  He had found the door locked and forced it open.  Mr. Morton was in an arm-chair, with several yards of rope wound loosely round him; he was almost unconscious, and there was a thick wool shawl tied round his mouth which must have deadened any cry or groan the poor gentleman might have uttered.  But, as a matter of fact, the constable was under the impression that Mr. Morton had been either drugged or stunned in some way at first, which had left him weak and faint and prevented him from making himself heard or extricating himself from his bonds, which were very clumsily, evidently very hastily, wound round his body.

“The medical officer who was called in, and also Dr. Mellish who attended Mr. Morton, both said that he seemed dazed by some stupefying drug, and also, of course, terribly weak and faint with the want of food.

“The first witness of real importance was Mrs. Chapman, the proprietress of Russell House, whose original information to the police led to the discovery of Mr. Morton.  In answer to Mr. Pepys, she said that on March 1st the accused called at her house and gave his name as Mr. Edward Skinner.

“’He required, he said, a furnished room at a moderate rental for a permanency, with full attendance when he was in, but he added that he would often be away for two or three days, or even longer, at a time.

“‘He told me that he was a traveller for a tea-house,’ continued Mrs. Chapman, ’and I showed him the front room on the third floor, as he did not want to pay more than twelve shillings a week.  I asked him for a reference, but he put three sovereigns in my hand, and said with a laugh that he supposed paying for his room a month in advance was sufficient reference; if I didn’t like him after that, I could give him a week’s notice to quit.’

“’You did not think of asking him the name of the firm for which he travelled?’ asked Mr. Pepys.

“’No, I was quite satisfied as he paid me for the room.  The next day he sent in his luggage and took possession of the room.  He went out most mornings on business, but was always in Brighton for Saturday and Sunday.  On the 16th he told me that he was going to Liverpool for a couple of days; he slept in the house that night, and went off early on the 17th, taking his portmanteau with him.’

“‘At what time did he leave?’ asked Mr. Pepys.

“‘I couldn’t say exactly,’ replied Mrs. Chapman with some hesitation.  ’You see this is the off season here.  None of my rooms are let, except the one to Mr. Skinner, and I only have one servant.  I keep four during the summer, autumn, and winter season,’ she added with conscious pride, fearing that her former statement might prejudice the reputation of Russell House.  ’I thought I had heard Mr. Skinner go out about nine o’clock, but about an hour later the girl and I were both in the basement, and we heard the front door open and shut with a bang, and then a step in the hall.