"ALARUMS AND EXCURSIONS" The inquest was surprisingly tame after the stirring events which had led up to it.

Indeed, save for two incidents, the proceedings were almost dull.
The coroner, a Knoleworth solicitor named Belcher, prided himself on conducting this _cause celebre_ with as little ostentation as he would have displayed over an ordinary inquiry.Messrs.Siddle, Elkin, Tomlin and Hobbs, with eight other local tradesmen and farmers, formed the jurors, and the chemist was promptly elected foreman; no witnesses were ordered out of court; the formalities of "swearing in" the jury and "viewing" the body were carried through rapidly.

Almost before Grant had time to assimilate these details Superintendent Fowler, who marshalled the evidence, called his name.

The coroner's officer tendered him a well-thumbed Bible, while the coroner himself administered the oath.
Grant eyed the somewhat soiled volume, and opened it before putting it to his lips.

The action probably did not please the jury.