A Case of Doubtful Death by Linda Stratmann

young fellow said he was very sorry to be bringing bad news, but Dr Mackenzie had just fallen down in a fit and died. Of course I was very shocked to hear it, as Dr Mackenzie was by no means an old man, though he had been looking very unwell of late. I think he had something on his mind, as he always looked preoccupied as if a great weight was pressing on him.’
    ‘Was there anything especially remarkable in Mr Palmer’s manner,’ asked Frances, ‘beyond what one might expect of a man in those unfortunate circumstances?’
    ‘No, nothing. He was upset, of course, but he seemed perfectly sane and collected. Mrs Georgeson came and he explained to her what had happened, and that Dr Bonner would be calling in due course to deal with Dr Mackenzie’s effects. He said that if friends of Dr Mackenzie wished to go up to the Life House and pay their respects, Dr Bonner had taken it upon himself to ensure that his associate was decently laid out in the chapel there, and they would accept visitors from ten the next morning. Well, there was nothing I could do so I went back into my room.’
    ‘Mr Palmer came into the hall, I believe?’
    ‘Yes, it was a terrible foggy night and very cold, and Mrs Georgeson invited him in and closed the front door, but he only came in a short way.’
    ‘He wasn’t invited down to the parlour – or to look in Dr Mackenzie’s room?’
    ‘Not that I saw.’
    ‘Did you see him leave?’
    ‘No, he was still talking to Mrs Georgeson when I returned to my room. But I heard Mrs Georgeson bid him goodnight, and then the front door opened and closed again. That was just a minute or two later.’
    ‘And I believe there was another visitor who came to see Dr Mackenzie that same night?’
    ‘Ah yes,’ said Trainor with some indignation, ‘and what a commotion he made! Banging on the front door as if he would break it down. I thought it very impolite. And I could hear the conversation in the hallway quite clearly without any need to open my door. Mrs Georgeson told him Dr Mackenzie was dead and he absolutely refused to believe it. He seemed hysterical. I was about to go and offer Mrs Georgeson my assistance, but then her husband came and spoke to the man and sent him packing. The next thing I knew the fellow was in the street calling out. I looked out of the window to see what sort of type he was, but I was surprised to see him very respectably dressed. It turned out that he was shouting for a cab, and I was just wondering if he would have any luck in finding one when, as it so happened, one came past and he jumped into it and off he went.’
    ‘What direction did he go in?’
    ‘Up the road – north, towards Kensal Green.’
    ‘Would you know him if you saw him again?’
    ‘I doubt it very much. It was dark and he was muffled against the cold and the fog. I didn’t see his face, although …’ Trainor paused, thoughtfully. ‘I couldn’t swear to it, but now I think about it, he may have been a man I have seen here before, calling on Dr Mackenzie – one of his medical friends, I believe, but I am afraid I don’t know his name. About thirty, well dressed. Very ordinary features.’
    ‘And this visit on the night of Dr Mackenzie’s death took place just a few minutes after Mr Palmer left?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘If he comes here again, would you let me know?’ asked Frances, presenting her card. ‘I would like to speak to him because he might have seen Mr Palmer in the street that evening and could give me some clue as to where he went.’
    ‘Oh, I doubt that he would be of any help,’ said Trainor. ‘He was in a fast cab and Palmer was walking, so they would not have encountered each other.’
    ‘How do you know he arrived by cab?’
    ‘I don’t know how he arrived. But he left by cab, I saw him.’
    ‘It is his arrival that interests me. When this gentleman left he was going towards Kensal Green, but Palmer was travelling in the opposite direction, so I agree, they could not have met