The coroner asked whether it was his custom to lock up his place when he went out; he replied that it was, when they went out together; but that event rarely happened.

Upon his return at dusk, he found the little skiff loose in the stream, and secured it.

It was his servant-boy, David Ripper, who called his attention to it first of all.
He saw nothing of Lord Hartledon, and had not very long secured the skiff when Mr.Percival Elster came up in the pony-carriage, asking if his brother was there.

He looked at the skiff, and said it was the one his lordship had been in.

Mr.Elster said he supposed his brother was walking home, and he should drive slowly back and look out for him.