ll tell you that the missing
man was about sixty years of age, about five feet eight inches in
height, fairly muscular and well preserved, apparently healthy, and
rather stoutly built. And--another most significant and striking
fact--the testator was accustomed to wear upon the third finger of his
left hand--the very finger that is missing from the remains that were
found--a most peculiar ring, which fitted so tightly that he was unable
to get it off after once putting it on; a ring, gentlemen, of so
peculiar a pattern that had it been found on the body must have
instantly established the identity of the remains. In a word,
gentlemen, the remains which have been found are those of a man exactly
like the testator; they differ from him in no respects whatever; they
display a mutilation which suggests an attempt to conceal an
identifying peculiarity which he undoubtedly presented; and they were
deposited in their various hiding-places about the time of the
testator's disappearance. Accordingly, when you have heard these facts
proved by the sworn testimony of competent witnesses, together with the
facts relating to the disappearance, I shall ask you for a verdict in
accordance with that evidence."

Mr. Loram sat down, and adjusting a pair of pince-nez, rapidly glanced
over his brief while the usher was administering the oath to the first
witness.

This was Mr. Jellicoe, who stepped into the box and directed a stony
gaze at the (apparently) unconscious judge. The usual preliminaries
having been gone through, Mr. Loram proceeded to examine him.

"You were the testator's solicitor and confidential agent, I believe?"

"I was--and am."

"How long have you known him?"

"Twenty-seven years."

"Judging from your experience of him, should you say that he was a
person likely to disappear voluntarily and suddenly to cease to
communicate with his friends?"

"No."

"Kindly give your reasons for that opinion."

"Such conduct on the part of the testator would be entirely opposed to
his habits and character as they are known to me. He was exceedingly
regular and business-like in his dealings with me. When traveling
abroad he always kept me informed as to his whereabouts, or, if he was
likely to be beyond reach of communication, he always advised me
beforehand. One of my duties was to collect a pension which he drew
from the Foreign Office, and on no occasion, previous to his
disappearance, has he ever failed to furni