He searched among his papers, and handed
one of the sheets to the judge advocate, who, before inserting it in
his book, read its contents aloud:

"After a prolonged and careful examination we found no wound or
mark of violence on Captain Lloyd's body; nor any trace of poison
in his system. Therefore, we are obliged to believe, in the absence
of any particular symptom or pathological appearance, that he died
from some cause or causes to us unknown.

"It is just possible that the last five days in the saddle without
sufficient food or sleep might have produced a paralysis of the
heart which left no symptom.

"WILLIAM MCBRIDE,
_Surgeon, Kalorama Hospital._
JAMES RICHARDS, M.D.,
_Coroner, District of Columbia._

"_March 7th, 1865._"

"I see that you have not signed this report, Doctor," exclaimed the
judge advocate, in surprise.

"I did not entirely agree with my colleagues," explained Doctor Ward.
"I contend that the symptoms would be the same if Captain Lloyd had
been suffocated by some anaesthetic such as chloroform."

"Did you detect any odor of chloroform about Captain Lloyd?"

"No. It evaporates quickly, and the room was well ventilated by
currents of fresh night air from the open window."

"Did you find a bottle which might have contained chloroform anywhere
in Captain Lloyd's apartment?"

"No, sir; but, then, I did not look for such a bottle until after the
autopsy."

"Could it have been removed in the interval?"

"Possibly; but I hardly think it likely. The provost marshal had placed
all the boarders and Mrs. Lane under arrest, and stationed a guard
about the house. No one could enter the captain's two rooms, except,"
remembering Baker's intrusion, "the head of the Secret Service Bureau,
and officers of the provost guard."

"I have no further questions to ask you now, Doctor. Mr. Senator, will
you take the witness?"

Warren, who had followed Ward's testimony with the closest attention,
tore off a sheet from his pad, and passed it over to the judge advocate
to read aloud.

"Is it not possible that Captain Lloyd died from apoplexy, Doctor?"

"No, Mr. Senator. I examined the brain, and found no indication of
apoplexy, although there was a slight, very slight congestion
noticeable at the base of the brain."

Warren quickly wrote another question, and