Mr.
Whitmore came down here to-day expecting to meet death.

In fact, he had prepared himself for it by destroying or secreting all his personal papers.

More than that I am not prepared to say at present." "Is there anything further that I can do ?" "Nothing, coroner, beyond ordering an immediate autopsy." "Very well," replied the coroner, preparing to go.

He was about to step out of the room when his footsteps were halted by an approaching figure that tore down the aisle as if under the stress of great excitement.

The figure did not pause at the door but brushed past the official, halting abruptly before the body of the slain man.
"Dead!" he moaned, and the single word conveyed to his hearers the darting agony which rent him.