After a few general questions, the coroner said,

“Please state when and what was the first intimation received by you of any unusual occurrence.”

“I was awakened this morning by a woman’s scream and heard sounds of confused running in different directions.  A few moments later Mr. Whitney came to my room and informed me of what had occurred, and I then went with him to the private rooms of Mr. Mainwaring.”

“You were associated with Mr. Mainwaring yesterday during the greater part of the day and evening, were you not?”

“I was during the day, but I did not see him after dinner until late at night.”

“Did you notice anything unusual in his appearance at any time yesterday?”

“He appeared rather depressed for about an hour after luncheon, during the execution of the will.”

“Did you know any cause for such depression?”

“I attributed it, in my own mind, to the conversation at luncheon, to which Mr. Whitney has referred.”

“Regarding one Richard Hobson?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you know what, if any, relations existed between Mr. Mainwaring and this Hobson?”

The black plumes of Mrs. LaGrange’s fan suddenly quivered, her cheek paled, and her breath came and went quickly, but these were the only signs of agitation which she betrayed, as Scott replied,-

“I have no knowledge as to what relations existed between them of late.  I only know that Mr. Mainwaring had, years ago, some important private business with this man.”

“Will you state the nature of this business?”

“Without giving exact details,” Scott replied, speaking deliberately but with no hesitation, though conscious of the surprise and indignation depicted on some of the faces about him, “this man was employed as an attorney by Mr. Mainwaring before the latter came to this country, and has since, at various times, extorted money from him by threats of exposure regarding certain transactions.”

The silence that followed this statement was of itself eloquent.  The young secretary felt every eye fastened upon himself, and, though his own eyes were fixed on the coroner’s face, he saw reflected even there the general expression of mingled astonishment, incredulity, and resentment.  Unmoved, however, he awaited, coolly and impassively, the next words of the coroner.

“Mr. Scott,” said Dr. Westlake, a touch of severity in his tone, “this is a serious assertion to make regarding a man so widely known as Mr. Mainwaring, and so universally considered above reproach in his business transactions.”

“I am aware of that fact, sir,” replied Scott, calmly, “but reference to the private letter-files of Mr. Mainwaring will prove the truth of my assertion.  I made this statement simply because the time and place demanded it.  You were endeavoring to ascertain the cause of Mr. Mainwaring’s perturbation on learning yesterday of the arrival of Hobson.  I have given what I consider the clue.”