Even at the inquest, and when the matter was thoroughly threshed out, the dead man's character proved to be honorable, and--save in the innocent concealment of his real name and origin--his public and private life was all that could be desired.

The whole story was not criminal, but truly romantic, and the final tragedy gave a grim touch to what was regarded, even by the most censorious, as a picturesque narrative.
In spite of all his efforts, Inspector Darby, of Wanbury, could produce no evidence likely to show who had shot the deceased.

Lord Garvington, under the natural impression that Pine was a burglar, had certainly wounded him in the right arm, but it was the second shot, fired by some one outside the house, which had pierced the heart.

This was positively proved by the distinct evidence of Lady Agnes herself.

She rose from her sick-bed to depose how she had opened her window, and had seen the actual death of the unfortunate man, whom she little guessed was her husband.