’"As to the cause of his death, it seems (if I may be excused for saying so) simply absurd to ask the question.  Bronchitis, terminating in pneumonia—­there is no more doubt that this, and this only, was the malady of which he expired, than that two and two make four.  Doctor Torello’s own note of the case is added here to a duplicate of my certificate, in order (as I am informed) to satisfy some English offices in which his lordship’s life was insured.  The English offices must have been founded by that celebrated saint and doubter, mentioned in the New Testament, whose name was Thomas!”

’Doctor Bruno’s evidence ends here.

’Reverting for a moment to our inquiries addressed to Lady Montbarry, we have to report that she can give us no information on the subject of the letter which the doctor posted at Lord Montbarry’s request.  When his lordship wrote it? what it contained? why he kept it a secret from Lady Montbarry (and from the Baron also); and why he should write at all to the wife of his courier? these are questions to which we find it simply impossible to obtain any replies.  It seems even useless to say that the matter is open to suspicion.  Suspicion implies conjecture of some kind—­ and the letter under my lord’s pillow baffles all conjecture.  Application to Mrs. Ferrari may perhaps clear up the mystery.  Her residence in London will be easily discovered at the Italian Couriers’ Office, Golden Square.

’Having arrived at the close of the present report, we have now to draw your attention to the conclusion which is justified by the results of our investigation.

’The plain question before our Directors and ourselves appears to be this:  Has the inquiry revealed any extraordinary circumstances which render the death of Lord Montbarry open to suspicion?  The inquiry has revealed extraordinary circumstances beyond all doubt—­such as the disappearance of Ferrari, the remarkable absence of the customary establishment of servants in the house, and the mysterious letter which his lordship asked the doctor to post.  But where is the proof that any one of these circumstances is associated—­suspiciously and directly associated—­with the only event which concerns us, the event of Lord Montbarry’s death?  In the absence of any such proof, and in the face of the evidence of two eminent physicians, it is impossible to dispute the statement on the certificate that his lordship died a natural death.  We are bound, therefore, to report, that there are no valid grounds for refusing the payment of the sum for which the late Lord Montbarry’s life was assured.

’We shall send these lines to you by the post of to-morrow, December 10; leaving time to receive your further instructions (if any), in reply to our telegram of this evening announcing the conclusion of the inquiry.’

CHAPTER IX

’Now, my good creature, whatever you have to say to me, out with it at once!  I don’t want to hurry you needlessly; but these are business hours, and I have other people’s affairs to attend to besides yours.’