The Cotton Factory Times. — 1905-05-26 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPTER XVII THE INQUEST.  The preliminaries of the inquest had been gone through, and the jury had listened to the broken story which Mrs. Smithson had to tell. Then came a little pause in the proceedings, for Mr. Loveday, the late squire's lawyer, was holding a murmured conversation with the coroner.  The inquiry was being held in the dining room of the manor, and at the long table sat the jury. Arnold Wyvern was at the end opposite the coroner, and Herrick and Martin were sitting at a side table. The conversation ended, and the coroner addressed the doctor.  "We will take your evidence next, Dr. Delmar," and the doctor went through the account of his examination of the dead body. Can you tell us what length of time elapsed between your reaching the Manor and the death of Squire Wyvern?" "An hour—possiblv a little longer. It was ten when I reached the Manor." "Then it would be right to assume that death took place before nine o'clock." "Quite right." "And from the nature of the wound death would be instantaneous?" "Yes." "Can you say in what manner the wound was inflicted?"  "I should say it was delivered from behind the chair. The direction of the wound proves this." He waited for a moment or two for any further questions that might be asked, and the oorcner glanced down the table. " Mr. Arnold Wyvern," and Wyvern rose to his feet, firm and composed. " When did you last see Squire Wyvern" asked the coroner. "At eight o'clock. I had to get something from the dining-room, and he as sitting in his aceusplace by the fire when I went in." "You heard the news of his death whilst you were in the 'Wyvern Arms,' I believe." "That was so." "At what time did you leave the Manor?" "Within five minutes of my going into the dining. room."  " Did anyone see you leave the house?" " I cannot say." "Where were you from the time you left the Manor, until you heard of the murder?" Wyvem thought for a moment or two before replying.. Then his answer was given glibly. . _  He had called at a hou; at the further end of Dray&ld upon some business, and had been detained nearly an hour there. After that he had gone to the hotel.  "Were you and the deceased upon friendly terms?" "The best of terms. It was at Squire NVyvern's request that I have been living at Calverley," replied Wyvern._  Then Herrick gave his evidence, and as he stood up Mr. Loveday looked at him narrowly. I believe," began the coroner, "that you were the last person known to be with the deceased." "That is correct as far as I know," replied Herrick.  "At what time did you leave the dining-room?" "I cannot say exactly. It may have been half. past eight; it may have been earlier." "Were you and your uncle friendly, or did a quarrel exist between you?" "There WU no quarrel." "You would call it a misunderstanding, perhaps?" "There was no misunderstanding." "At what time did you reach Mr. Graham's house?"  "Ordinarily it takes half an hour to walk from Calverley to Myrtle Cottage. It would have taken me longer last night, in consequence of the storm. I think it was half-past nine." "Can you account in any way for the window of. the dining•room being found open?" . .  "I presume the fastenings of the casement were broken by the wind." "Was there not a dispute between yourself and the squire?" "Yee. In connection with my intending marriage." "And he has threatened you with disinheritance'!"  "He was opposed to my marriage. He might have chosen another heit to his pro:perty:".  " A danger to you, removed by-his death." "A danger removed by his death," repeated Herrick, his facie flushing. "You have no theory in your mind as to a Cathie for your uncle's murder." "None. He had no enemies, so far as I know. The purpose of the crime was not robbery, and I can give no reason for it." Ho wed not questioned further, and the rest of the witnease.s were called, who proved nothing of the least consequence, and so the proceedings ended. The verdiot that Squire Wyvern had been murdered by some person or persons unknown was recorded, and tongues in Drayfield wagged finely that day with a score of unrestrained opinions.