The inquiry being,so far,at an end,the inquest was adjourned--on the chance of obtaining additional evidence,when the reported proceedings were read by the public.
Consulting a later number of the newspaper Emily discovered that the deceased person had been identified by a witness from London.
Henry Forth,gentleman's valet,being examined,made the following statement:
He had read the medical evidence contained in the report of the inquest;and,believing that he could identify the deceased,had been sent by his present master to assist the object of the inquiry.Ten days since,being then out of place,he had answered an advertisement.The next day,he was instructed to call at Tracey's Hotel,London,at six o'clock in the evening,and to ask for Mr.James Brown.Arriving at the hotel he saw the gentleman for a few minutes only.Mr.Brown had a friend with him.After glancing over the valet's references,he said,"I haven't time enough to speak to you this evening.Call here to-morrow morning at nine o'clock."The gentleman who was present laughed,and said,"You won't be up!"Mr.Brown answered,"That won't matter;the man can come to my bedroom,and let me see how he understands his duties,on trial."At nine the next morning,Mr.Brown was reported to be still in bed;and the witness was informed of the number of the room.He knocked at the door.A drowsy voice inside said something,which he interpreted as meaning "Come in."He went in.The toilet-table was on his left hand,and the bed (with the lower curtain drawn)was on his right.He saw on the table a tumbler with a little water in it,and with two false teeth in the water.Mr.Brown started up in bed--looked at him furiously--abused him for daring to enter the room--and shouted to him to "get out."The witness,not accustomed to be treated in that way,felt naturally indignant,and at once withdrew--but not before he had plainly seen the vacant place which the false teeth had been made to fill.Perhaps Mr.Brown had forgotten that he had left his teeth on the table.Or perhaps he (the valet)had misunderstood what had been said to him when he knocked at the door.Either way,it seemed to be plain enough that the gentleman resented the discovery of his false teeth by a stranger.
Having concluded his statement the witness proceeded to identify the remains of the deceased.
He at once recognized the gentleman named James Brown,whom he had twice seen--once in the evening,and again the next morning--at Tracey's Hotel.In answer to further inquiries,he declared that he knew nothing of the family,or of the place of residence,of the deceased.He complained to the proprietor of the hotel of the rude treatment that he had received,and asked if Mr.Tracey knew anything of Mr.James Brown.Mr.Tracey knew nothing of him.On consulting the hotel book it was found that he had given notice to leave,that afternoon.
Before returning to London,the witness produced references which gave him an excellent character.He also left the address of the master who had engaged him three days since.