“What were the circumstances, Mrs. Darling?” Nick inquired. “State them briefly.” “There is very little to tell,” she rejoined. “My husband was last seen alive by one of my servants. She saw him going out of the back door of the house and around the stable, and she supposed he was going down to our boathouse, which was on the river bank and out of view from here, owing to the sharp slope of the land.” “I see,” said Nick, glancing from the window. “Soon after, Mr. Carter, the boathouse was seen to be on fire. It contained a motor boat and considerable gasoline, which caused it to burn very rapidly. It was completely destroyed. In the ruins were found the remains of my husband, little more than a charred skeleton, from which the flesh was almost entirely burned.” Mrs. Darling paused to dry her eyes, maintaining with an effort her outward composure. Appreciating her feelings, Nick waited a few moments and then inquired: “Are you sure, Mrs. Darling, that his death was not due to an accident?” “Positively,” she replied. “To begin with, Mr. Carter, he left this letter on the chiffonier in my bedroom. You may read it.” She took it from the library table while speaking and tendered it to the detective. Nick read it, the following few lines written with pen and ink. “MY DEAR MYRA: Forgive me for the step I am going to take. I am driven to it by feelings I cannot describe. I am sick and tired of the whole business--of life itself. I am going to end it. Forgive and forget me. RIGHT “CYRUS.” Nick replaced the letter on the table, saying considerately: “There seems, indeed, to be no reasonable doubt of Mr. Darling’s intentions. You recognize the writing, I infer.” “Yes, surely,” she replied. “Furthermore, Mr. Carter, there were found in the ruins numerous articles that positively identify my husband’s remains. They included the buttons on his garments, which were entirely consumed; also his pocketknife, his false teeth, and a plain gold ring. His revolver also was found near by, and it is supposed that he shot himself after setting fire to the boathouse, presumably to make sure that his terrible design could not miscarry.” “Who examined the articles and investigated the case?” asked Nick. “Doctor Lyons, my physician, who is also the coroner.” “A capable man,” Nick nodded. “I am acquainted with him. What is his opinion?” “He thinks it a case of suicide. He could find no evidence of anything else, and is very positive in his opinion.” “Had your husband any money, jewelry, or----” “He left those in the bedroom, his watch, diamonds, and pocketbook, also his ring of keys,” Mrs. Darling interposed. “Only one key was missing from the ring.” “Which one?” “The key to the boathouse.”