The valet came on shore and gave his evidence before the informal
court, which was dealing with the case at the British Embassy,
presided over by the _attaches_.
"When did you see his lordship last?"
"Last night. My lord dined on board alone. He appeared depressed, and
altogether low. He told me he should go to bed early."
"And did he?"
"No. Late in the evening a shore-boat came off--one of those caiques,
I think they called them--with a letter, very urgent."
"For Lord Lydstone?"
"For his lordship. He seemed much disturbed on reading it."
"Well?"
"My lord called me and said he would dress to go on shore. I gave him
out the suit which he was wearing when the body was found."
"He said nothing about the letter, or its contents?"
"Oh, no! My lord was never given to talking much, although I was his
confidential valet since he left college. He never spoke to me of his
affairs. My lord always kept his distance, as it was proper he
should."
"Could you tell at all what became of this letter?"
"My lord put it in his pocket when he was dressed."
"You are certain of this?"
"Most positive."
"Was any such letter found in the pockets of the deceased?" asked the
_attache_ of the Turkish police, through the dragoman of the Embassy.
Nothing of the kind had been found.
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