CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE The morning after the hearing saw me setting forth on my round in more than usually good spirits.

The round itself was but a short one, for my list contained only a couple of "chronics," and this, perhaps, contributed to my cheerful outlook on life.

But there were other reasons.

The decision of the Court had come as an unexpected reprieve and the ruin of my friends' prospects was at least postponed.

Then, I had learned that Thorndyke was back from Bristol and wished me to look in on him; and, finally, Miss Bellingham had agreed to spend this very afternoon with me, browsing round the galleries at the British Museum.
I had disposed of my two patients by a quarter to eleven, and three minutes later was striding down Mitre Court, all agog to hear what Thorndyke had to say with reference to my notes on the inquest.