Then he did as I had done, bent down and examined him.

A few seconds later he stepped or reeled back, looking as frightened as a man could be, and exclaiming-- "Dead as a stone, by God! Dead these three hours or more." "Quite so," I answered, "but what killed him ?" "How should I know ?" he asked savagely.

"Do you suspect me of poisoning him ?" "My mind is open," I replied; "but as you quarrelled so bitterly last night, others might." The bolt went home; he saw his danger.
"Probably the old sot died in a fit, or of too much brandy.

How can one know without a post-mortem?
But that mustn't be made by me.

I'm off to inform the magistrate and get hold of another doctor.