[The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins]@TWC D-Link book
The Haunted Hotel

CHAPTER VIII
25/25

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.'.


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