"Merely that his former call had caused so much remark she wished to receive him privately."
"Was he alone when he called the second time?"
"No, sir."
"Can you describe the person who accompanied him?"
"No, sir. The man stood so far in the shadow that I could only see the outlines of his form. I should say he was about the same height as Mr. Hobson, but considerably heavier."
"Do you know at what hour they left?"
"No, sir."
Further questions failing to elicit any facts bearing upon the situation, the butler was dismissed, and Brown, the coachman, took his place. The latter was far less taciturn than the butler, seeming rather eager to impart some piece of information which he evidently considered of special importance.
After a few preliminary questions, the coroner said,—
"At what time, and from whom, did you first hear of Mr. Mainwaring's death?"