“Mr. Higgenbotham,” announced the coroner.  The greatest surprise was manifested on every side as the senior member of a well-known firm of jewellers stepped forward; the same gentleman who had accompanied Mr. Whitney on his return from the city on the preceding day.

“Mr. Higgenbotham,” said the coroner, “I believe you are able to furnish 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 your investigations.”

“Mr. Higgenbotham, do you recognize the young gentleman who has just given his testimony?”

“I do, sir,” said the witness, adjusting a pair of eyeglasses and gazing steadily at Walter LaGrange.  “I recall his features perfectly.”

“You were personally acquainted with the late Hugh Mainwaring, I believe?”

“Yes, sir, intimately acquainted with him.”

“You are, I believe, familiar with the Mainwaring jewels which are now 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 for safe keeping during their owner’s absence from home; and I have also a complete list of them, with a detailed description of every piece.”

“Very well, Mr. Higgenbotham, will you now please state when, and under what circumstances, you saw this young gentleman?”

“I was seated in my private office yesterday morning, when my head clerk came in and asked me to step out into the salesrooms for a moment, as he said a young man was there trying to sell some very fine jewels, and, from his youth and his ignorance of their value, he feared something was wrong.  I went out immediately and saw this young gentleman, who handed me for inspection a superb diamond brooch and an elegant necklace of diamonds and pearls.  I instantly recognized the gems as pieces from the old Mainwaring collection of jewels.  Simultaneously there occurred to my mind the report of the murder of Hugh Mainwaring, which I had heard but a short time before, although then I knew nothing of the robbery.  Naturally, my suspicions were awakened.  I questioned the young man closely, however, and he stated that his home was at Fair Oaks, and that his mother was a distant relative of Mr. Mainwaring’s; that the jewels were hers, and she wished to dispose of them for ready cash to meet an emergency.  His story was so plausible that I thought possibly my suspicions had been somewhat hasty and premature.  Still, I declined to purchase the jewels; and when he left the store I ordered one of our private detectives to follow him and report to me.  In the course of an hour the detective returned and reported that the young man had sold the jewels to a pawnbroker for less than one-fourth their actual value.  About half an hour later I heard the news of the robbery at Fair Oaks, and that the family jewels were missing; and knowing that Mr. Whitney was here, I immediately 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.”