“I would like to know how you sized up the circumstances, nevertheless,” Nick went on. “Darling left a note which stated his suicidal intention, then went to the boathouse and set it on fire, immediately shooting himself. That is your opinion, I understand, briefly stated?” “Yes, that is about the size of it,” admitted the physician. “Were you among the first to view the remains?” “Yes. I was sent for immediately. I saw all that remained of the unfortunate man. He was almost entirely cremated.” “You made a careful examination, I suppose.” “Certainly.” “Of the skull?” “I examined his remains thoroughly, Nick.” “Did you find any fractured bone, or splintered, as if caused by a bullet?” Nick inquired. “No, I did not.” “Did you find the bullet that killed him?” “No. The body was terribly burned, parts of it being entirely consumed. It was impossible to perform a satisfactory autopsy. There is no question of his identity, however, if that is what you have in mind. Darling’s ring was found on his finger. He wore a double set of false teeth, which alone are enough to establish his identity. We found some of the horn buttons on his clothing, moreover, which his wife readily recognized. Really, Nick, there is nothing to it.” “Why do you think, then, that he set fire to the building before shooting himself?” “Possibly to make sure of his death in case he only wounded himself. Or, perhaps, the fire was caused by the flash of the revolver. There was a lot of gasoline in the building. It may have caught from the flash of the weapon. It certainly caused a very intense fire. The house and all it contained were completely consumed.” “I was told that you still have the revolver and the articles mentioned.” “That is true.” “May I take them temporarily? I will guarantee to return them.” “Certainly,” Doctor Lyons readily consented. “If the matter were a less solemn one, however, I would wager a big round roll, Nick, that you are wasting your energies on a fog bank. There’s nothing in it. Cyrus Darling killed himself, as sure as death and taxes.” “We’ll let it go at that, then, for the present,” said the detective, with a smile. “I will return these articles in a few days.” “Whenever convenient, Nick,” replied the physician. He had taken them from a drawer in his desk while speaking, a parcel wrapped in thick brown paper and securely tied with a string. Nick thanked him and departed. Half an hour later he entered the New York office of Clayton & Craige, attorneys, and was received in the private office of the senior partner. Nick found, however, that Clayton could add but little to the information already imparted by Mrs. Darling.