“He said he was dizzy like, and that everything swam before him,” explained Murray, with careful attention to detail. “He was very red in the face and shook all over; but the cognac brought him around after a bit, and, asking me to say nothing of his little upset, he went on into the drawing-room.” “Was he in evening clothes?” The foreman of the jury spoke for the first time and looked somewhat alarmed at the sound of his own voice. “Surely, sir; it was shortly before dinner was announced. Mr. Brainard motored out and reached here about half past six.” “When was dinner served?” inquired Black. “Eight o’clock, sir.” “Humph!” The coroner jotted down the figures in his notebook. “Was Mr. Brainard a frequent caller here?” “He was, sir, last year, but not recently, sir.” The footman paused thoughtfully, and then added: “Not since Dr. Noyes has been here.” Coroner Black wheeled on him sharply. “What do you mean by that remark?” “Nothing, sir.” Murray’s eyes opened in astonishment. “I was only trying to place the last time I’d seen Mr. Brainard here. My master, Mr. Craig Porter, and Dr. Noyes reached home early in October; yes, sir, Mr. Brainard hasn’t been here since then, I’m sure.” The coroner considered the footman in silence for several seconds. “When did you last see Dr. Noyes?” he asked finally. “About midnight, sir. I went up to his room to ask if I could do anything for him. Part of my duties is valeting for Mr. Hugh and Mr. Craig, and the gentlemen staying in the house,” he added, reading the unspoken question on the coroner’s lips. “How did Dr. Noyes appear?” inquired Black. “Appear?” Murray reflected for a moment. “I can’t answer that, sir, for I didn’t really see him; the door was opened only a little way, and I just caught a glimpse of him as he stood before his chiffonier stropping his razor.” The coroner and Dr. McPherson exchanged glances. “Wasn’t that an unusual hour for such an occupation?” asked the former. “Quite so, sir; but it was this way, sir”--Murray’s words tumbled over each other in his haste--“the doctor had shaved just before dinner, and I hadn’t had time to put away his things, and last night when I apologized for leaving his chiffonier in such disorder, sir, and offered to come in and straighten up, he told me it was midnight and to go to bed, that he had already cleaned the razor and put the mug away.” Coroner Black reached forward and picked up the razor he had shown Vera Deane. “Does this razor belong to Dr. Noyes?” he asked. A dead silence prevailed as Murray took the razor and examined the open blade with its reddish stains. He shook his head. “No, sir, it is not Dr. Noyes’ razor.” CHAPTER IV MORE TESTIMONY CORONER BLACK took the razor from the footman and laid it carefully back on the table. “You are excused,” he announced, and, as Murray rose with alacrity, he added, “Inform Mrs. Porter that we will be obliged by her presence here.”