“Yes. Deceased was a highly conscientious man and he was in my debt. He had occasion to borrow two thousand pounds from me, and the debt was secured by an insurance on his life. If he had committed suicide that insurance would be invalidated and the debt would remain unpaid. From my knowledge of him, I feel certain that he would not have done such a thing.” The coroner nodded gravely, and then asked: “What was deceased’s occupation?” “He was employed in some way by the Foreign Office, I don’t know in what capacity. I know very little about his affairs.” “Do you know if he had any money worries or any troubles or embarrassments of any kind?” “I have never heard of any; but deceased was a very reticent man. He lived alone in his flat, taking his meals at his club, and no one knew--at least, I did not--how he spent his time or what was the state of his finances. He was not married, and I am his only near relative.” “And as to deceased’s habits. Was he ever addicted to taking more stimulants than was good for him?” “Never,” the witness replied emphatically. “He was a most temperate and abstemious man.” “Was he subject to fits of any kind, or fainting attacks?” “I have never heard that he was.” “Can you account for his being in this solitary place at this time--apparently about eight o’clock at night?” “I cannot. It is a complete mystery to me. I know of no one with whom either of us was acquainted in this district. I had never heard of the place until I got the summons to the inquest.” This was the sum of our client’s evidence, and, so far, things did not look very favourable from our point of view--we were retained on the insurance question, to rebut, if possible, the suggestion of suicide. However, the coroner was a discreet man, and having regard to the obscurity of the case--and perhaps to the interests involved--summed up in favour of an open verdict; and the jury, taking a similar view, found that deceased met his death by drowning, but under what circumstances there was no evidence to show. “Well,” I said, as the court rose, “that leaves it to the insurance people to make out a case of suicide if they can. I think you are fairly safe, Mr. Pedley. There is no positive evidence.” “No,” our client replied. “But it isn’t only the money I am thinking of. It would be some consolation to me for the loss of my poor brother if I had some idea how he met with his death, and could feel sure that it was an unavoidable misadventure. And for my own satisfaction--leaving the insurance out of the question--I should like to have definite proof that it was not suicide.” He looked half-questioningly at Thorndyke, who nodded gravely. “Yes,” the latter agreed, “the suggestion of suicide ought to be disposed of if possible, both for legal and sentimental reasons. How far away is the mortuary?” “A couple of minutes’ walk,” replied Mr. Pedley. “Did you wish to inspect the body?”