The testimony of Ralph Mainwaring and of his son added nothing of interest or importance.  Mr. Thornton testified to his incidental meeting with Hobson and to the reputation which the man had borne in London.  When he had resumed his seat the coroner remarked,-

“As a matter of form, I will have to call upon the ladies, though it is not expected they will be able to furnish any information throwing light on this mysterious case.”

It was, as he had said, little more than a ceremony and occupied but a few moments.  Miss Carleton was the last one called upon.  She stated that it was nearly eleven o’clock when she reached her room, but added that she did not retire immediately, as her cousin, Miss Thornton, had come in, and they had chatted together for more than an hour; that while so engaged, she heard Mr. Scott come up-stairs and enter his room, which adjoined hers, and lock the door for the night.

“At what hour was this?” inquired the coroner.

“It could not have been more than twenty minutes after twelve, as it was twenty-five minutes after twelve when my cousin went to her room, and this was about five minutes earlier.”

“Can you state whether or not he left his room within the next half-hour?”

“I know that he did not,” she replied.  “I can testify that he remained in his room until after one o’clock.  After my cousin left I discovered that the moon was just rising, and the view across the Hudson being extremely beautiful, as well as novel to me, I extinguished the light in my room and sat down by the open window to enjoy it.  I heard Mr. Scott stepping quietly about his room for a few moments; then all was still.  I sat for some time admiring the scenery, until I was aroused by hearing him pacing back and forth like a person in deep thought.  I then found it was much later than I supposed, — nearly one o’ clock, — and I immediately retired; but so long as I was awake I could hear him walking in his room.”

As Miss Carleton finished her testimony it was evident that the tide of general opinion had turned somewhat in favor of the young secretary, but the latter quietly ignored the friendly glances cast in his direction.

It was generally supposed that all testimony in the case had now been heard.  Considerable surprise was, therefore, manifested when the coroner nodded to Mr. Whitney, who, in turn, beckoned to some one in the hall.  In response the butler appeared, ushering in a tall man, with cadaverous features and small, dark eyes, which peered restlessly about him.

“Richard Hobson,” announced the coroner.

“At your service, sir,” said the man, advancing with a cringing gait and fawning, apologetic smile.

“Mr. Hobson,” said the coroner, after a few preliminaries, “I understand you were somewhat acquainted with the late Hugh Mainwaring.”

“Well, yes, sir, somewhat,” the other replied in soft, insinuating tones, but with peculiar emphasis on the word used by Dr. Westlake.  “Indeed, I might say, without exaggeration, that I was probably better acquainted with that estimable gentleman than was any one in this country.”