The coroner was that same Dr. Lonsdale who had acted in a similar capacity some nine weeks earlier when the inquiry into the death of the three victims of the Starvel fire had taken place. He also seemed worried, as if he feared the elucidation of these mysterious happenings might try his powers beyond their capacity. The preliminaries having been gone through already, the coroner began to take evidence immediately, and Dr. Emerson was called. “You attended the late Mr. Markham Giles?” the coroner asked when he had obtained the other’s name and qualifications. “I attended him up to five years ago, when Dr. Philpot took the case over. Owing to Dr. Philpot’s being ill at the time of his death I was again called in.” “For what complaint did you formerly attend the deceased?” “Myocarditis. It was a disease of some years’ standing.” “Myocarditis is heart disease, isn’t it? Was the deceased badly affected?” “Five years ago, fairly badly. I have no doubt that at the time of his death he was much worse, as the disease is incurable and progressive.” “We can no doubt get that from Dr. Philpot. When did you hear of Mr. Giles’s death, Dr. Emerson?” “On Wednesday morning, 15th September.” “Who told you of it?” “John Roper, the Starvel man-servant.” “Did you go out to Starvel and examine the body?” “Yes, I did, after first consulting Dr. Philpot on the case.” “Oh, you saw Dr. Philpot. And what was the result of your consultation?” “Dr. Philpot told me that Mr. Giles had developed influenza, and that he had seen him on Thursday. He was very weak and Dr. Philpot did not expect him to get over it.” “Then you examined the body?” “Yes, I went out to Starvel immediately.” “And what opinion did you then form as to the cause of death?” “I believed it to be myocarditis.” “And you gave a certificate to that effect?” “I did.” “Did you make any specific examination of the remains on which you based your opinion?” “Yes, so far as it was possible without a post-mortem.” “And you were quite satisfied that you had made no mistake?” “I was quite satisfied.” “That will do in the meantime. Please do not go away, Dr. Emerson, as I may have some further questions to put to you later.” Dr. Philpot was then called. He corroborated the evidence of the last witness in so far as it concerned himself. He had attended Mr. Giles during the past five years. Deceased was suffering from myocarditis, which had become worse and of which he might have died at any moment. On the Thursday prior to his death witness had been informed by Roper, Mr. Averill’s man-servant, that deceased seemed rather seriously ill, and he went out to see him. Deceased was feeble and witness believed that he was very near his end. Witness did not think he could live more than three or four days. When he heard of his death it was only what he had expected.