CHAPTER IX
TANGLED THREADS
Upon resuming the examination, the first witness called for wasMary Catron, the second cook, a woman about thirty-five years ofage, with an honest face, but one indicative of a fiery temper.Her testimony was brief, but given with a directness that wasamusing. When questioned of the occurrences of the day precedingthe murder, she replied,--
"I know nothing of what went on except from the gossip of the rest.My place was in the kitchen, and I had too much to do that day tobe loitering round in the halls, leaning on a broom-handle, andlistening at keyholes," and she cast a glance of scathing contemptin the direction of the chambermaid.
"Did this 'gossip' that you speak of have any bearing on what hassince occurred?" the coroner inquired.
"Well, sir, it might and it mightn't. 'Twas mostly about the willthat Mr. Mainwaring was making; and as how them that got littlewas angry that they didn't get more, and them as got much wasgrowling at not getting the whole."
"How did the servants gain any knowledge of this will?"
"That's more than I can say, sir, except as I knows the nature ofsome folks."
Upon further questioning, the witness stated that on the night ofthe murder, between the hours of two and three, she was aroused bya sound like the closing of an outside door, but on going to oneof the basement windows to listen, she heard nothing further andconcluded she had been mistaken.
"Did you see the coachman at that time?" she was asked.
"A few minutes later I looked out again and I see him gaping andgrinning at the house and jabbering to himself like an idiot, andI was minded to send him about his business if he hadn't a-tookhimself off when he did."
"He was perfectly sober, was he not?"
"Sober for aught that I know; but, to my thinking, he's that daftthat he's noways responsible for aught that he says."
"Were you up-stairs soon after the alarm was given?" asked thecoroner, when she had told of hearing from the butler the news ofthe murder.
"Yes, sir; I went up as soon as ever I heard what had happened."
"Who was in the library at that time?"
"Nobody but some of the servants, sir. I met Mr. Whitney just asI came out."
"Did you meet any one else?"
"I met no one, but I saw the housekeeper coming out of her son'sroom. She didn't see me; but she was telling him to get readyquick to go somewheres, and I heard her say to hurry, for everyminute was precious."
Louis Picot, the head cook, could give no information whatever.When the alarm was given, he had rushed, with the other servants,to the scene of the murder, and in his imperfect English,accompanied by expressive French gestures, he tried to convey hishorror and grief at the situation, but that was all.
The two maids who attended the English ladies were next called upon;but their testimony was mainly corroborative of that given by thechambermaid, except that Sarah Whitely, Miss Carleton's maid,stated, in addition, that she had seen Mr. Walter LaGrange leavehis mother's room in great haste and go down-stairs, and a littlelater, from one of the upper windows, saw him riding away fromthe stables in the direction of the south gate.
But one servant remained, "Uncle Mose," as he was familiarly called,the old colored man having charge of the grounds at Fair Oaks. Hissnow-white hair and bent form gave him a venerable appearance; buthe was still active, and the shrewd old face showed both humor andpathos as he proceeded with his story. He had been a slave in hisyounger days, and still designated his late employer by the old term"mars'r." He was a well-known character to many present, includingDr. Westlake, who knew that in this instance questions would haveto be abandoned and the witness allowed to tell his story in hisown way.
"Well, Uncle Mose, you have been employed at Fair Oaks for a longtime, haven't you?"
"Moah dan twenty yeahs, sah, I'se had charge ob dese y'er grounds;an' mars'r Mainwaring, he t'ought nobody but ole Mose cud take cyahob 'em, sah."
"You were about the grounds as usual Wednesday, were you not?"
"I was 'bout de grounds all day, sah, 'case dere was a pow'ful lotto do a-gittin' ready for de big doins dere was goin' to be onmars'r's birfday."
"Did you see either of the strangers who called that day?"
"I'se a-comm' to dat d'rectly, sah. You see, sah, I wants to sayright heah, befo' I goes any furder, dat I don' know noffin 'ceptwhat tuk place under my own obserbation. I don' feel called uponto 'spress no 'pinions 'bout nobody. I jes' wants to state a fewrecurrences dat I noted at de time, speshally 'bout dem strangersas was heah in pertickeler. Well, sah, de fust man, he come heahin de mawnin'. De Inglish gentlemens, dey had been a-walkin' inde grounds and jes' done gone roun' de corner oh de house to goto mars'r Mainwaring's liberry, when dis man he comes up de av'nuein a kerridge, an' de fust ting I heah 'im a-cussin' de driver.Den he gets out and looks roun' kind o' quick, jes' like de possumin de kohn, as ef he was 'fraid somebody done see 'im. I was fixin'de roses on de front poach, an' I looked at 'im pow'ful sharp, an'when de dooh opened he jumped in quick, as ef he was glad to getout o' sight. Well, sah, I didn't like de 'pearance ob dat man,an' I jes' t'ought I'd get anoder look at 'im, but he stayed amighty long time, sah, an' bime'by I had to go to de tool-house,an' when I gets back the kerridge was gone."
"Could you describe the man, Uncle Mose?" the coroner asked.
"No, sah, I don' know as I could 'scribe 'im perzacly; but I'd know'im, no matter where I sot eyes on 'im, and I know'd 'im the nex'time I see 'im. Well, sah, dat aft'noon, mars'r Mainwaring an' defolks had gone out ridin', an' I was roun' kind o' permiscuous like,an' I see anoder kerridge way down de av'nue by de front gate, an'I waited, 'spectin' maybe I'd see dat man again. While I was waitin'by de front dooh, all oh a sudden a man come roun' from de side, asef he come from mars'r Mainwaring's liberry, but he was anoder man."
"Didn't he look at all like the first man?" inquired the coroner.
"No, sah; he looked altogedder diff'rent; but I don' know as I couldstate whar'in de differensiashun consisted, sah. Dis man was berrygood lookin' 'ceptin' his eyes, an' dem yoh cudn' see, 'case he hadon cull'ed glasses. Mebbe his eyes was pow'ful weak, er mebbe hedidn't want nobody to see 'em; but I 'spicioned dem glasses d'rectly,sah, an' I watched 'im. He goes down to de kerridge an' takes outa coat an' says sump' in to de driver, an' de kerridge goes awaytow'ds de town, an' he walks off de oder way. Bime'by I see 'imgwine back again on de oder side ob de street-"
"Was he alone?" interrupted the coroner.
"Yes, sah; an' I done kep' my eye on 'im, an' he didn' go on to detown, but tuhned down de fust side street. Well, sah, I didn' seeno moah ob 'im den; but dat ebenin' I'd ben a-workin' roun' dehouse, sprinklin' de grass and gettin' ready foh de nex' day, whenI happens to pass by de side dooh, an' I sees dem two men comm'out togedder."
"What time was this, Uncle Mose?" the coroner asked, quickly.
"Well, sah," said the old man, reflectively, "my mem'ry is a littlederelictious on dat p'int, but I knows 'twas gettin' putty late."
"Are you sure these were the same two men you had seen earlier inthe day?"
"Yes, sah; 'case I stepped in de bushes to watch 'em. Dey talkedtogedder berry low, an' den one man goes back into de house, an' Iseen 'im plain in de hall light, an' he was de fust man; an' whileI was a-watchin' 'im, de oder man he disappeahed an' I cudn' see'im nowhar, but I know'd he was de man dat came in de aft'noon,'case he look jes' like 'im, an' toted a coat on his arm. Well,sah, I t'inks it a berry cur'is sarcumstance, an' I was jes' comm'to de preclushun dat I'd mention it to some ob de fambly, when defust man, he come to de dooh wid de housekeeper. I was in deshadder and dey didn' see me, but I heah 'im say, kind o' softlike, 'Remember, my deah lady, dis is a biz'ness contract; I doesmy part, an' I 'spects my pay.' An' she says, 'Oh, yes, yoh shallhab yohr money widout fail.' An' I says to myse'f, 'Mose, yoh olefool, what you stan'in' heah foh? Dat ain't nuffin dat consarnsyoh nohow,' an' I goes home, an' dat's all I know, sah. But I'seben pow'ful so
rry eber sence dat I didn' let mars'r Mainwaringknow 'bout it, 'case I has my 'spicions," and the old darkey shookhis head, while the tears coursed down his furrowed cheeks.
"How did you hear of Mr. Mainwaring's death?" asked the coroner.
"De coachman, he done tole me, sah."
"Why, the coachman stated that you told him what had occurred."
"No, sah; he done tole me; I'd come up to de place pow'ful ahlydat mawnin' 'case dere was to be such big doings dat day, an' Iwas gwine to de tool-house foh sump'in, an' I see mars'r Walterridin' away from de stables pow' ful fas' on his hoss-"
"Do you mean Walter LaGrange?"
"Yes, sah; an' de coachman he came out an' I ax 'im whar de youngman was gwine dat ahly, an' he say mars'r Mainwaring ben killed, an'mars'r Walter had to go to town as fas' as his hoss cud take 'im."
"Do you know when he returned?"
"He came back, sah, befo' berry long, an' den he went away agin anddidn't come back till mos' noon."
When the old darkey had been dismissed the coachman was recalled.
"What did you mean by stating that you first heard of Mr.Mainwaring's death from the gardener, when the reverse was thetruth?"
"I don't know," he replied, carelessly; "I s'pose I got mixed. Iremember talking with him about it, and I thought he told me."
"You had forgotten the interview with Walter LaGrange, I presume."
Brown made no answer.
"Why did you not mention that?"
"I wasn't asked to," he replied in insolent tones; "you said nothingto me about Mr. LaGrange."
"You are expected to state in full every occurrence having anybearing on the situation. You may give the particulars of thatinterview now."
"There's nothing to tell more than Uncle Mose told. I was workingin the stables as usual, and Mr. LaGrange came in in a big hurryand ordered me to saddle his horse as quick as I could, that Mr.Mainwaring had been murdered, and he'd got to go to town."
"At what time was this?"
"About half-past seven, I should say."
"Did he state his errand?"
"No, sir."
"When did he return?"
"I saw his horse standing in the yard outside the stables about halfan hour after, and then 'twas gone, and I didn't see it again tillnoon."
Walter LaGrange was next called. He stated that he had spent thegreater part of the day preceding the murder away from Fair Oaks;he had not been at home to luncheon or dinner, and consequently knewnothing of the strangers seen on the place that day. He had returnedabout half-past ten that evening, and remembered seeing Mr.Mainwaring and his guests seated on the veranda, but he had gonedirectly to his room without meeting any one. The first intimationwhich he had received of any unusual occurrence the next morningwas when his mother entered his room and told him that Mr. Mainwaringhad either been murdered or had committed suicide, no one knew which.
"Was that her only object in coming to your room?"
"No, sir; she wanted me to do an errand for her."
"Will you state the nature of this errand?"
"It was only to deliver a note."
"To whom?"
"To Mr. Hobson," the young man answered weakly, while his motherfrowned, the first sign of emotion of any kind which she hadbetrayed that day.
"Did you deliver the note?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then, under your mother's orders, you went to the city on yoursecond trip, did you not?"
"Y-yes, sir."
"Were you successful in finding Mr. Hobson there?"
"Yes, sir," the witness answered sullenly.
"You had other business in the city aside from meeting him, had younot?"
Between the coroner's persistence and his mother's visible signs ofdispleasure, Walter LaGrange was fast losing his temper.
"If you know so much about this business, I don't see the use ofyour questioning me," he retorted angrily. "It's no affair of mineanyway; I had nothing to do with it, nor I won't be mixed up in it;and if you want any information you'd better ask mother for it; it'sher business and none of mine."
After a few more questions, which the witness answered sullenly andin monosyllables, he was dismissed.
"Mr. Higgenbotham," announced the coroner. The greatest surprisewas manifested on every side as the senior member of a well-knownfirm of jewellers stepped forward; the same gentleman who hadaccompanied Mr. Whitney on his return from the city on the precedingday.
"Mr. Higgenbotham," said the coroner, "I believe you are able tofurnish some testimony which will be pertinent at this time."
"Yes, Dr. Westlake," responded the other, in deep, musical tones,"I think possibly I can render you a little assistance in yourinvestigations."
"Mr. Higgenbotham, do you recognize the young gentleman who has justgiven his testimony?"
"I do, sir," said the witness, adjusting a pair of eyeglasses andgazing steadily at Walter LaGrange. "I recall his featuresperfectly."
"You were personally acquainted with the late Hugh Mainwaring, Ibelieve?"
"Yes, sir, intimately acquainted with him."
"You are, I believe, familiar with the Mainwaring jewels which arenow missing?" continued the coroner.
Walter LaGrange looked uncomfortable and his mother's cheek paled.
"I am, sir; having had them repeatedly left in my possession forsafe keeping during their owner's absence from home; and I havealso a complete list of them, with a detailed description of everypiece."
"Very well, Mr. Higgenbotham, will you now please state when, andunder what circumstances, you saw this young gentleman?"
"I was seated in my private office yesterday morning, when my headclerk came in and asked me to step out into the salesrooms for amoment, as he said a young man was there trying to sell some veryfine jewels, and, from his youth and his ignorance of their value,he feared something was wrong. I went out immediately and saw thisyoung gentleman, who handed me for inspection a superb diamondbrooch and an elegant necklace of diamonds and pearls. I instantlyrecognized the gems as pieces from the old Mainwaring collection ofjewels. Simultaneously there occurred to my mind the report of themurder of Hugh Mainwaring, which I had heard but a short time before,although then I knew nothing of the robbery. Naturally, mysuspicions were awakened. I questioned the young man closely,however, and he stated that his home was at Fair Oaks, and that hismother was a distant relative of Mr. Mainwaring's; that the jewelswere hers, and she wished to dispose of them for ready cash to meetan emergency. His story was so plausible that I thought possiblymy suspicions had been somewhat hasty and premature. Still, Ideclined to purchase the jewels; and when he left the store Iordered one of our private detectives to follow him and report tome. In the course of an hour the detective returned and reportedthat the young man had sold the jewels to a pawnbroker for lessthan one-fourth their actual value. About half an hour later Iheard the news of the robbery at Fair Oaks, and that the familyjewels were missing; and knowing that Mr. Whitney was here, Iimmediately telephoned to him the facts which I have just stated.He came in to the city at once, and we proceeded to the pawnshop,where he also identified the jewels."
Mr. Higgenbotham paused for a moment, producing a package from aninner pocket, which he proceeded to open.
"We secured a loan of the jewels for a few days," he continued,advancing towards the coroner. "Here they are, and here is a copyof the list of which I spoke. By comparing these gems with thedescription of those which I have checked on the list, you willsee that they are identical."
He placed the open casket on the table. There was a moment'ssilence, broken by subdued exclamations of admiration as Dr.Westlake lifted the gems from their resting-place.
"You are correct," he said; "the description is complete. There isno doubt that these are a part of the collection. I see you havemarked the value of these two items as seven thousand dollars."
"Yes; that is a moderate valuation. And were the prices of theother articles carried out, you w
ould see that, with the exceptionof a few very small pieces, these have the least value of the entirelot. I believe I can be of no further service."
Mrs. LaGrange was next recalled.
"Have you anything to say in reference to the testimony just given?"the coroner inquired.
"I have this much to say," she replied, haughtily, "that I couldhave given you the history of those jewels, including, perhaps,some facts of which even Mr. Higgenbotham and Mr. Whitney are inignorance, and thus have spared you the infinite pains you havetaken to make public the straits to which I was reduced, becauseof my position here, when in need of a little ready money. I couldhave informed you that they were originally a part of the oldMainwaring collection of gems, until they were given me by myhusband."
"It hardly seems consistent that a man who treated his wife in themanner in which you claim to have been treated would bestow uponher gifts of such value as these," the coroner remarked withemphasis.
"They were of little value to him," she answered, with scorn; "asyou have been informed, they were the poorest which he possessed.Besides, there were times when I could persuade him to almostanything,--anything but to acknowledge his lawful wife and hislegitimate son."
"Was the money which you were forced to raise by the sale of thesejewels to be paid to Hobson?"
"It was."
"In accordance with the terms of your contract with him, made afew hours preceding the death of Mr. Mainwaring?"
"Yes," she replied, defiantly. "And as you probably would ask thenature of that contract, I will save you the trouble. Knowing thatmy son and I were likely to be defrauded of our rights in the samemanner in which Hugh Mainwaring had defrauded others, I engaged Mr.Hobson as my attorney, as he, better than any one else, knew thefacts in the case. When I learned yesterday morning of my husband'sdeath, I realized that I would have immediate need of his services,and accordingly sent him word to that effect. He demanded a largecash payment at once. The result of this demand Mr. Higgenbothamhas already told you."
"How was Hobson to secure for you your rights from Hugh Mainwaring?"
"That was left entirely to his own discretion."
"Will you describe the appearance of Mr. Hobson's clerk?"
"Unfortunately, I am unable to do so. He was merely brought as awitness to our contract. I knew that he was present, but heremained in the shadow, and I took no notice of him whatever."
"Your contract, then, was a verbal one?"
"It was."
Upon being closely questioned, Mrs. LaGrange reiterated herassertions of the preceding day, laying particular stress upon thealleged interview between Hugh Mainwaring and his secretary, afterwhich she was dismissed, and Harry Scott was recalled.
"Mr. Scott," said the coroner, "what were the relations existingbetween Mr. Mainwaring and yourself up to the time of his death?"
Scott flushed slightly as he replied, "Those ordinarily existingbetween employer and employed, except that I believe Mr. Mainwaringaccorded me more than usual consideration, and I, while dulyappreciative of his kindness, yet took especial pains never toexceed the bounds of an employee."
"Were there ever any unpleasant words passed between you?"
"None whatever."
"Was your last interview with Mr. Mainwaring of a friendly nature?"
"Entirely so."
"What have you to say in reference to the testimony given to theeffect that your voice was heard and recognized in angryconversation with Mr. Mainwaring at nearly one o'clock?"
"I have to say that it is false, and without foundation."
"Do you mean to say that the statement of the witness was whollywithout truth?"
"I do not deny that such an interview, as alleged by the witness,may have taken place, for that is something concerning which I haveno knowledge whatever; but I do deny that she heard my voice, orthat I was in the library at that time, or at any time after abouttwenty minutes past twelve."
"Was that the time at which you went to your room?"
"Very near that time, as my interview with Mr. Mainwaring could nothave exceeded ten minutes."
"At what time did you retire?"
"I sat up very late that night, for my mind was so occupied withsome personal matters that I felt no inclination for sleep. Ilighted a cigar and became so absorbed in my own thoughts that Iwas totally unaware of the lapse of time, until I was aroused bywhat I thought was a stealthy step outside. I then became conscious,for the first time, that I was very weary, both physically andmentally, and I also discovered that it was nearly three o'clock.Astonished to find it so late, and exhausted by hours of protractedthought, I threw myself as I was upon a low couch, where I sleptsoundly until awakened in the morning."
Further questions failed to reveal any discrepancy in his statement,and he was dismissed.
The testimony of Ralph Mainwaring and of his son added nothing ofinterest or importance. Mr. Thornton testified to his incidentalmeeting with Hobson and to the reputation which the man had borne inLondon. When he had resumed his seat the coroner remarked,--
"As a matter of form, I will have to call upon the ladies, thoughit is not expected they will be able to furnish any informationthrowing light on this mysterious case."
It was, as he had said, little more than a ceremony and occupiedbut a few moments. Miss Carleton was the last one called upon. Shestated that it was nearly eleven o'clock when she reached her room,but added that she did not retire immediately, as her cousin, MissThornton, had come in, and they had chatted together for more thanan hour; that while so engaged, she heard Mr. Scott come up-stairsand enter his room, which adjoined hers, and lock the door for thenight.
"At what hour was this?" inquired the coroner.
"It could not have been more than twenty minutes after twelve, asit was twenty-five minutes after twelve when my cousin went to herroom, and this was about five minutes earlier."
"Can you state whether or not he left his room within the nexthalf-hour?"
"I know that he did not," she replied. "I can testify that heremained in his room until after one o'clock. After my cousin leftI discovered that the moon was just rising, and the view across theHudson being extremely beautiful, as well as novel to me, Iextinguished the light in my room and sat down by the open windowto enjoy it. I heard Mr. Scott stepping quietly about his room fora few moments; then all was still. I sat for some time admiring thescenery, until I was aroused by hearing him pacing back and forthlike a person in deep thought. I then found it was much later thanI supposed,--nearly one o' clock,--and I immediately retired; butso long as I was awake I could hear him walking in his room."
As Miss Carleton finished her testimony it was evident that thetide of general opinion had turned somewhat in favor of the youngsecretary, but the latter quietly ignored the friendly glances castin his direction.
It was generally supposed that all testimony in the case had nowbeen heard. Considerable surprise was, therefore, manifested whenthe coroner nodded to Mr. Whitney, who, in turn, beckoned to some onein the hall. In response the butler appeared, ushering in a tallman, with cadaverous features and small, dark eyes, which peeredrestlessly about him.
"Richard Hobson," announced the coroner.
"At your service, sir," said the man, advancing with a cringing gaitand fawning, apologetic smile.
"Mr. Hobson," said the coroner, after a few preliminaries, "Iunderstand you were somewhat acquainted with the late HughMainwaring."
"Well, yes, sir, somewhat," the other replied in soft, insinuatingtones, but with peculiar emphasis on the word used by Dr. Westlake."Indeed, I might say, without exaggeration, that I was probablybetter acquainted with that estimable gentleman than was any onein this country."
"When did you last see Mr. Mainwaring?"
"I have not seen him to speak with him for fully twenty-three years."
"You have corresponded with, him, however, in that time?"
The witness showed no surprise.
"We exchanged
a few letters while I was in England. I have neitherheard from him nor written to him since coming to this country."
"When did you last see him, regardless of whether you spoke to himor not?"
"Probably within the last two or three weeks. I have occasionallymet him on the street."
"Did Mr. Mainwaring see you at any of these times?"
"If he did, he did not recognize me."
"Did you see him when you called at Fair Oaks, Wednesday,--eithermorning or evening?"
"I did not."
"Mr. Hobson, will you describe the man who accompanied you whenyou called in the evening, Wednesday?"
"I could give you a general description. He was a large man, aboutmy own height, but heavier, and rather good looking, on the whole.But I am not good on details, such as complexion, color of hair, andso on; and then, you know, those little things are very easilychanged."
"What was his name?"
Mr. Hobson smiled blandly. "The name by which I know him is JohnCarroll, but I have no idea as to his real name. He is a veryeccentric character, many-sided as it were, and I never know whichside will come uppermost."
"He is your clerk and in your employ, is he not?"
"Agent, I think, would be a preferable term. He is in my employ,he transacts certain business for me, but he does it in his own way,and comes and goes at his own discretion."
"Where is he at present?"
"I have no idea, sir."
"Did he leave for the city that night, or did he remain with you atthe Riverside Hotel?"
"He was not with me at the hotel except for a few hours. I have notthe slightest idea from whence he came to see me, when he went away,or in what direction he went. He was in haste to be excused as soonas our joint business was done, and I have not seen him since."
"Did he have on dark glasses that day?"
"Not when I saw him, but that was only in my room at the hotel, andfor a few moments in this house; he would have no need for them ateither place."
"Did he not accompany you from the hotel to Fair Oaks?"
"No, sir; we met here by prearrangement."
"When do you expect to see your agent again?"
"Whenever he has any business reports to make," Hobson replied,with an exasperating smile; "but I have no idea when that will be.He has other commissions to execute; he is in the employ of othersbesides myself, and transacts some business on his own account also."
"I understand, Mr. Hobson, that you have repeatedly extorted moneyfrom Mr. Mainwaring by threatening to disclose facts in yourpossession regarding some questionable transaction."
"No, sir; my action could not be termed extortion or blackmailwithin the meaning of the law, though to any one conversant with Mr.Mainwaring's private correspondence it may have had that appearance.I was, however, merely making an effort to collect what was legallydue me. Mr. Mainwaring, before leaving England, had voluntarilybound himself to pay me a certain sum upon the condition that Iwould not reveal certain transactions of considerably more thanquestionable character. I kept my part of the contract, but hefailed in his. I wrote him, therefore, threatening, unless hefulfilled his share of the agreement, to institute proceedingsagainst him, which would naturally involve a disclosure of his secret.He never paid me in full and the secret is still mine," he paused,then added slowly, "to keep or to sell, as will pay me best."
"Was Hugh Mainwaring ever married?" the coroner asked, abruptly.
"I believe he was not generally considered a married man, sir."
"Was there ever any private marriage?"
Hobson smiled enigmatically. "You already have the word of thelady herself, sir; that should be sufficient. I cannot reveal anyof Hugh Mainwaring's secrets,--unless I am well paid for it!"
Hobson was dismissed without further questions, and the examinationbeing now at an end, the coroner's jury retired to the room in therear of the library. Very few left the house, for all felt thatlittle time would be required for the finding of a verdict, andcomment and opinion were freely exchanged.
"Well," said Mr. Sutherland, turning towards the secretary with asmile, "they did not learn one fact from that last witness, for Idoubt whether one of the few statements he did make had an iota oftruth in it. By the way, Mr. Scott, it's a very fortunate thingthat you've got the proofs you have. It would be a risky piece ofwork to depend on that man's word for proof; he is as slippery asan eel. With those proofs, however, there is no doubt but thatyou've got a strong case."
"It will be hard to convince Ralph Mainwaring of that fact."
"Yes, he looks as though he would hold on to his opinions prettytenaciously."
"Not so tenaciously as he would grasp any money coming within hisreach!"
At a little distance, Mr. Whitney was engaged in conversation withthe Englishmen.
"I never thought he could be in any way connected with it," he wassaying. "In the first place, there was no motive, there could benone; then, again, I believe he is altogether above suspicion. Iknow that Mr. Mainwaring had the most implicit confidence in him."
"Well," said Mr. Thornton, "for my part, I'm heartily glad if thereis nothing in it. I always liked the young fellow."
"That's just where I don't agree with you; I don't like him," RalphMainwaring replied in a surly tone. "He may be all right so far asthis matter is concerned; I don't say yet that he is or isn't; butI do say that to defame a man's character after he's dead, in themanner he has, is simply outrageous, and, you may depend upon it,there's some personal spite back of it."
"Oh, well, as to Hugh's character, I don't think you or I are goingto fret ourselves about that," laughed Mr. Thornton. "He probablysowed his wild oats with the rest of us, and there may have beensome reason for his leaving England as he did."
"I don't believe it," Ralph Mainwaring retorted, angrily; but beforehe could say more, the doors opened and the coroner's jury filedinto the room. There was instant silence, and a moment later theverdict had been announced. It was what every one had expected, andyet there was not one but experienced a feeling of disappointmentand dissatisfaction.
"We find that the deceased, Hugh Mainwaring, came to his death bythe discharge of a revolver in the hands of some person or personsto us unknown."
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