Page 592 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

the Gulf. Altogether a very dreadful affair. The ladies of the mission told everyone that she had a weak
heart. As a matter of fact she had, from what he said, been in a very hysterical state ever since she came
here and was so bad that he tied her ankles to his when they went to bed every night for fear she might get
away. He said this afterwards himself.

Friday [12 September]

Bank in the morning and in the evening we motored out and went in to see Parke on the way back.
Discussed the business about Mrs Todd and looked up in the Indian Penal Code to see what was the
procedure in cases of sudden death under such circumstances. We came to the conclusion that something
should be done and Parke agreed to go and see Dame and tell him that according to law in such cases there
should be a Police report. While we were at dinner Dame arrived here having missed Parke. Had a long talk
to him and got the impression that he had very strong suspicions of suicide. Agreed that we should let the
Resident know at once. He left and then I sent for Guzdar and very soon afterwards Parke came. We
discussed the affair until well after midnight and finally drafted a telegram to be sent next day. Guzdar was
very suspicious and seemed to think poison possible. Parke and I said we thought it was suicide and finally
he said he thought so too.

Saturday [13 September]

Court. I didnt appear much in court and wrote a long letter to the Resident giving all particulars about Mrs
Todd's death. The bazaar is simply buzzing with excitement about it and some say she was poisoned some
that she poisoned herself. Guzdar constantly comes over to see me with drafts of letters and telegrams to
the Resident. He is a sensible little man, a Parsee. He has a great contempt for "chi chi" people, which is
what the Todds are. Todd himself came in after lunch and asked for permission to exhume the body of Mrs
Todd and send it to India. One difficulty is that there has been no death certificate and that is needed before
doing this. Parke and Guzdar came in too and we had another long consultation. Of course some people
would say that this last idea looks very suspicious. Took Parke out for a drive in the car. An aeroplane came.
Dined with the Jordans, Walker and Pack were there, a very good dinner. Bridge. Our fortunes have begun
to improve in Bridge. Todd seemed to be in a very bad way when I saw him. Dame came to see me too, he is
now inclined to take the line that any sort of action is a pity. He, as the doctor who attended, should have
reported his suspicions to me or to the Agency, Dr Tiffany the lady doctor was there too and none of them
said anything officially, it is difficult to put up an opinion in the face of three doctors.

Sunday [14 September]

A wire came from Bushire asking for more particulars, so difficult to give by telegram. More interviews with
Guzdar, who is I think rather enjoying himself now. Yusuf Fakroo and Zayani came to say that they had been
to interview the old Kadi and had not been able to make a compromise in his case. Went to the Customs.
Parke came in. Finances are very bad, we are very much below the Budget. Motored in the afternoon, called
at the customs to see D.G's house which is being painted. Dame came round in the afternoon to say that
Todd was pressing him to give a death certificate. Dame is now all against any sort of enquiry being made as