Awaking from my stupor of grief, I wrote a letter to Sir Thomas expressing my deep regret at the misfortune that I had been the innocent means of bringing upon him.

To this letter I received a reply by hand, scrawled upon half a sheet of notepaper.

It ran:-- "Sir Thomas Colford is surprised that Dr.Therne should think it worth while to add falsehood to murder." Then, for the first time, I understood in what light my terrible misfortune was regarded by the public.

A few days later I received further enlightenment, this time from the lips of an inspector of police, who called upon me with a warrant of arrest on the charge of having done manslaughter on the body of Dame Blanche Colford.
That night I spent in Dunchester Jail, and next morning I was brought before the bench of magistrates, who held a special session to try my case.

The chairman, whom I knew well, very kindly asked me if I did not wish for legal assistance.