"Yesterday afternoon, about four o'clock," replied Braddock.

"Then, from the condition of the body"--the doctor felt the dead
flesh--"he must have been murdered last night. H'm! With your
permission, Painter, I'll examine the corpse."

The constable shook his head. "Better wait, sir, until the
inspector comes," he said in his unintelligent way. "Poor Sid!
Why, I knew him. He was at school with me, and now he's dead.
Who killed him?"

None of his listeners could answer this question.




CHAPTER VI

THE INQUEST


Like a geographical Lord Byron, the isolated village of Gartley
awoke one morning to find itself famous. Previously unknown,
save to the inhabitants of Brefort, Jessum, and the surrounding
country, and to the soldiers stationed in the Fort, it became a
nine days' centre of interest. Inspector Date of Pierside
arrived with his constables to inquire into the reported crime,
and the local journalists, scenting sensation, came flying to
Gartley on bicycles and in traps. Next morning London was duly