Dr. Ferris’ examination of the body was very thorough, yet, since it was made with the rapid precision which comes from extended practice, it was soon over.  Short as it was, however, it was still an ordeal under which Gwen suffered keenly, to judge from her manner.

The Examiner then took Maitland aside, looked at his notes, and conversed earnestly with him in an undertone for several minutes.  I do not know what passed between them.  When he left, a few moments later, Officer Barker accompanied him.

As soon as the door closed behind them Gwen turned to Maitland.

“Did he give you his opinion?” she asked with a degree of interest which surprised me.

“He will report death as having resulted from causes at present unknown,” rejoined Maitland.

Gwen seemed greatly relieved by this answer, though I confess I was utterly at a loss to see why she should be.

Observing this change in her manner Maitland approached her, saying: 

“Will you now permit me to explain my seeming rudeness in interfering with your plan to make Mr. Browne your messenger, and at the same time allow me to justify myself in the making of yet another request?”

Gwen bowed assent and he proceeded to state the following case as coolly and accurately as if it were a problem in geometry.

“Mr. Darrow,” he began, “has just died under peculiar circumstances.  Three possible views of the case at once suggest themselves.  First:  his death may have been due to natural causes and his last expressions the result of an hallucination under which he was labouring.  Second:  he may have committed suicide, as the result, perhaps, of a mania which in that case would also serve to explain his last words and acts; or,—­you will pardon me, Miss Darrow,—­these last appearances may have been intentionally assumed with a view to deceiving us.  The officers you have summoned will not be slow in looking for motives for such a deception, and several possible ones cannot fail at once to suggest themselves to them.  Third:  your father may have been murdered and his last expressions a more or less accurate description of the real facts of the case.  It seems to me that these three theories exhaust the possibilities of the case.  Can anyone suggest anything further?” And he paused for a reply.

“It is clear,” replied Mr. Herne with portly deliberation, “that all deaths must be either natural or unnatural; and equally clear that when unnatural the agent, if human, must be either the victim himself, or some person external to him.”

“Precisely so,” continued Maitland.  “Now our friend, the Doctor, believes that Mr. Darrow’s death resulted from natural causes.  The official authorities will at first, in all probability, agree with him, but it is impossible to tell what theory they will ultimately adopt.  If sufficient motive for the act can be found, some are almost certain to adopt the suicide theory.  Miss Darrow has expressed her conviction that we are dealing with a case of murder.  Mr. Browne and Mr. Herne have expressed no opinion on the subject, so far as I am aware.”