According to him but one decision could be arrived at, namely, that the accused in the dock had, in a moment of passion, and perhaps of fear, killed the blackmailer who threatened him with disclosures which might for ever have ruined him socially, and, having committed the deed and fearing its consequences, probably realizing that the patrolling constables might catch sight of his retreating figure, he had availed himself of George Higgins's presence on the spot to loudly accuse him of the murder.
"Having concluded his able speech, Mr.Buchanan called his witnesses, and the evidence, which on second hearing seemed more damning than ever, was all gone through again.
"Sir Marmaduke had no question to ask of the witnesses for the prosecution; he stared at them placidly through his gold-rimmed spectacles.

Then he was ready to call his own for the defence.

Colonel McIntosh, R.A., was the first.

He was present at the bachelors' party given by Lord Arthur the night of the murder.

His evidence tended at first to corroborate that of Chipps the footman with regard to Lord Arthur's orders to show the visitor into the library, and his counter-order as soon as his wife came into the room.
"'Did you not think it strange, Colonel ?' asked Mr.Buchanan, 'that Lord Arthur should so suddenly have changed his mind about seeing his visitor ?' "'Well, not exactly strange,' said the Colonel, a fine, manly, soldierly figure who looked curiously out of his element in the witness-box.