"I have a strange consciousness that I am living over the past again," declared the physician."Things were just so when that poor woman, Nurse Forrester - you remember.""Yes.I felt the same when Caunter was breaking open the door.I faced the worst from the beginning, for the moment I heard what he had done, I somehow knew that my unfortunate son-in-law was dead.I directly negatived his suggestion last night, and never dreamed that he would have gone on with it when he knew my wish.""Doubtless he did not realize how much in earnest you were on the subject.This may well prove as impossible to understand as the nurse's death.I do not say it will; but I suspect it will.A perfectly healthy creature cut off in a moment and nothing to show us why - absolutely nothing.""A death without a cause - a negation of science surely?""There is a cause, but I do not think this dreadful tragedy will reveal it," answered the doctor."I pray it may, however, for all our sakes," he continued."It is impossible to say how deeply I feel this for her, but also for you, and myself, too.He was one of the best, a good sportsman and a good man.""And a great loss to the Service," added Sir Walter."I have not considered all this means yet.My thoughts are centred on Mary.""You must let me spare you all I can, my friend.There will be an inquest, of course, and an inquiry.Also a post-mortem.Shall I communicate with Dr.Mordred to-day, or would you prefer that somebody else -""Somebody else.The most famous man you know.From nodisrespect to Dr.Mordred, or to you, Mannering.You understand that.But I should like an independent examination by some great authority, some one who knew nothing of the former case.This is an appalling thing to happen.I don't know where to begin thinking.""Do not put too great a strain upon yourself.Leave it to those who will come to the matter with all their wits and without your personal sorrow.An independent inquirer is certainly best, one who, as you say, knows nothing about the former case.''
"I don't know where to begin thinking," repeated the other."Such a thing upsets one's preconceived opinions.I had always regarded my aversion to this room as a human weakness - a thing to be conquered.Look round you.Would it be possible to imagine an apartment with less of evil suggestion?"The other made a perfunctory examination, went into every corner, tapped the walls and stared at the ceiling.The clean morning light showed its intricate pattern of interwoven circles converging from the walls to the centre, and so creating a sense of a lofty dome instead of a flat surface.In the centre was a boss of a conventional lily flower opening its petals.
"The room should not be touched till after the inquest, I think.Indeed, if I may advise, you will do well to leave it just as it is for the police to see.""They will want to see it, I imagine?"
"Unless you commumcate direct with Scotland Yard, ask for a special inquiry, and beg that the local men are not employed.There is reason in that, for it is quite certain that nobody here would be of any greater use to you than they were before.""Act for me then, please.Explain that money is no object, and ask them to send the most accomplished and experienced men in the service.But they are only concerned with crime.This may be outside their scope.""We cannot say as to that.We cannot even assert that this is not a crime.We know nothing.""A crime needs a criminal, Mannering."
"That is so; but what would be criminal, if human agency were responsible for it, might, nevertheless, be the work of forces to which the word criminal cannot be applied."Sir Walter stared at him.
"Is it possible you suggest a supernatural cause for this?" The doctor shook his head.
