“It’s from Mrs. Royce,” he said.  “She’s a trump!  She’s determined that Marjorie shall come to her.  She says if you don’t bring her, she’ll come after her herself.  Do you know how she is this morning?”

“No,” I said; “I haven’t seen Hinman.  But how are you?”

“Oh, I’m all right again—­head a little sore yet where I bumped it—­but otherwise as fit as a fiddle.”

“You look it!” I said; and I was glad, because I wanted him to make a good impression on the stand.  I knew what weight appearances often had; and no jury, I told myself, would believe that this bright-eyed, fresh-coloured boy could have had any hand in a brutal murder.

Just then Hinman’s name was called, and an officer hurried away to the house after him.  They returned together almost at once, and Hinman was placed on the stand.  He told of being summoned by Godfrey, and of the events which followed.  He said that the murder had been committed about midnight, that death had been due to strangulation; and identified the cord and the blood-stained handkerchief which the coroner submitted to him.  I fancied that Swain lost a little of his colour when he saw the handkerchief and learned where it had been found, but he made no remark.

“Will Miss Vaughan be able to testify?” Goldberger inquired, just before the doctor stepped down.

“Unless it is absolutely necessary, I think she would better be excused,” Hinman answered.  “She is still very nervous.  The ordeal might cause a serious collapse.”

“We will try to get along without her,” assented Goldberger.  “If necessary, I can take her deposition.  Is she in bed?”

“Yes; I am keeping her as quiet as possible.”

“Very well; we won’t disturb her,” said Goldberger, and Hinman was excused, and Freylinghuisen called.  He merely testified to the cause of death and that the autopsy had shown that the deceased was in fair health and without organic disease.

Then the servants were called, but their evidence was unimportant.  They had gone to bed about ten o’clock, and had not awakened until the coroner himself had pounded at the door.  They had heard no unusual sound.  Yes, they had slept with their doors locked and windows shuttered because that was the rule of the house.  Yes, even in the hottest weather; that made no difference, since each of their rooms was fitted with a ventilator.

Questioned as to the manner of life of the other inmates of the house, the German and his wife were non-committal.  They had been with the family a long time; had taken care of the place when their master was abroad; only after his return had it been necessary to get another servant.  He had been at home for a year, and the Hindus had arrived about six months later.  Yes, they knew their master was studying some strange religion, but that was no affair of theirs, and they had never seen anything wrong.  He had always treated them well; was a little strange and absent-minded at times;