It was possible to arrive at that conclusion from the very severe haemorrhage.
The blood was still flowing freely when we broke into the room.

That would cause death from heart failure, following the haemorrhage, within two or three minutes, in all probability." "He was quite dead when you entered the study ?" "Quite." "How long after was the body carried into the bedroom ?" "An hour or more.

It was some time before Pengowan arrived, and Thalassa and he removed the body a little later." Barrant looked disappointed at his reply.

"Would it be possible to make marks on a corpse after that length of time ?" he asked.
"What sort of marks ?" asked the doctor.
"There was a mark of five fingers on the left arm, made by a left hand." "Then you have finger-prints to help you ?" "Unfortunately no.

It's a grip--a clutch--which, will not reveal print marks in the impressions.