you say, is a hat-pin?" "A part of a hat-pin. It was evidently inserted while the victim was asleep. It was then, either intentionally or accidentally, broken in half. Owing to a peculiar tendency of human flesh, the pin was probably drawn in a trifle deeper than when left there by the criminal's hand, and thus almost disappeared from view." "And it was this stab of a pin that caused death?" "Undoubtedly—and immediately." [Pg 68] [Pg 68] Except for a few technical points regarding the cause and effect of cerebral hemorrhage, that was the gist of Doctor Post's evidence. As the case was indisputably a murder, there being no possibility of suicide, the next thing was to discover the criminal. Coroner Ross went about his work in a most methodical and systematic manner. His witnesses were called, sworn, questioned, and dismissed with a despatch that amazed me. The agent of The Hammersleigh, who also lived in the house, was examined next. "Your name?" asked the Coroner. "James Whitaker." "Your occupation?" "I am agent and superintendent of The Hammersleigh. I live in an apartment on the first floor." "How long have you had Robert Pembroke as a tenant?" "Mr. Pembroke has occupied this apartment for three years." "Of how many members did the family consist?" "Until about three months ago, there were three in the family. Mr. Pembroke, his niece and nephew. Also, one servant was kept, usually a colored woman. About three months ago, the nephew, Mr. Lawrence, moved away." [Pg 69]
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