? ? ? ? It was a dreadful sight which met us as we entered the bedroom door. I have spoken of the impression of flabbiness which this man Blessington conveyed. As he dangled from the hook it was exaggerated and intensified until he was scarce human in his appearance. The neck was drawn out like a plucked chicken's, making the rest of him seem the more obese and unnatural by the contrast. He was clad only in his long nightdress, and his swollen ankles and ungainly feet protruded starkly from beneath it. Beside him stood a smart-looking police-inspector, who was taking notes in a pocketbook
? ? ? ? "Ah, Mr. Holmes," said he heartily as my friend entered, "I am delighted to see you."
? ? ? ? "Good-morning, Lanner," answered Holmes, "you won't think me an intruder, I am sure. Have you heard of the events which led up to this affair?"
? ? ? ? "Yes, I heard something of them."
? ? ? ? "Have you formed any opinion?"
? ? ? ? "As far as I can see, the man has been driven out of his senses by fright. The bed has been well slept in, you see. There's his impression, deep enough. It's about five in the morning, you know, that suicides are most common. That would be about his time for hanging himself.
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