"
The man of foresight--he was remarkably well-dressed this
evening--watched the smoke from his cigarette and smiled.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE TRAVELLER'S FICKLENESS AND FRAUD
In due course a coroner and his jury sat on the body of Lord
Polperro; in the order of things this inquest was publicly reported.
Readers of newspapers learnt that the eccentric nobleman, though in
a weak state of health, had the indiscretion to mingle with a crowd
on New Year's Eve; that he either accidentally fell or was knocked
down by some person unknown in the rough-and-tumble of the hour; in
short, that his death might fairly be accounted for by misadventure.
The results of the autopsy were not made known in detail, but a
professional whisper went about that among the causes contributory
to Lord Polperro's death were congestion of the lungs, softening of
the brain, chronic inflammation of the stomach, drunkard's liver,
and Bright's disease of the kidneys.
The unprofessional persons who came forward were Mr. Gammon, Lord
Polperro's housekeeper, and Miss Trefoyle.
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