These were the main points of the servants' evidence. In answer
to Inspector Martin they were clear that every door was fastened
upon the inside, and that no one could have escaped from the
house. In answer to Holmes they both remembered that they were
conscious of the smell of powder from the moment that they ran
out of their rooms upon the top floor. "I commend that fact
very carefully to your attention," said Holmes to his
professional colleague. "And now I think that we are in a
position to undertake a thorough examination of the room."
The study proved to be a small chamber, lined on three sides
with books, and with a writing-table facing an ordinary window,
which looked out upon the garden. Our first attention was given
to the body of the unfortunate squire, whose huge frame lay
stretched across the room. His disordered dress showed that he
had been hastily aroused from sleep. The bullet had been fired
at him from the front, and had remained in his body after
penetrating the heart. His death had certainly been instantaneous
and painless. There was no powder-marking either upon his
dressing-gown or on his hands.
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