Yet the jury brought in the astounding verdict that deceased came to his death "by the hands of some person or persons unknown!" They explained that the perfectly undeviating consistency of Markiss's character for thirty years towered aloft as colossal and indestructible testimony, that whatever statement he chose to make was entitled to instant and unquestioning acceptance as a lie.

And they furthermore stated their belief that he was not dead, and instanced the strong circumstantial evidence of his own word that he was dead--and beseeched the coroner to delay the funeral as long as possible, which was done.

And so in the tropical climate of Lahaina the coffin stood open for seven days, and then even the loyal jury gave him up.

But they sat on him again, and changed their verdict to "suicide induced by mental aberration"-- because, said they, with penetration, "he said he was dead, and he was dead; and would he have told the truth if he had been in his right mind?
No, sir.".