"One question more," resumed the coroner. "You have said that Mrs. Clemmens was a spirited woman. Now, what made you think so? Any expression of annoyance on her part at the interruption in her work which your errand had caused her, or merely the expression of her face and the general way she had of speaking?"
"The latter, I think, though she did use a harsh word or two when she showed me the door."
"And raised her voice?"
"Yes, yes."
"Mr. Hildreth," intimated the coroner, rising, "will you be kind enough to step with me into the adjoining room?"
With a look of wonder not unmixed with alarm, the young man prepared to comply.
"I should like the attention of the jury," Dr. Tredwell signified as he passed through the door.
There was no need to give them this hint. Not a man of them but was already on his feet in eager curiosity as to what their presiding officer was about to do.
"I wish you to tell me now," the coroner demanded of Mr. Hildreth, as they paused in the centre of the sitting-room, "where it was you stood during your interview with Mrs. Clemmens, and, if possible, take the very position now which you held at that time."
"There are too many persons here," the witness objected, visibly rebelling at a request of which he could not guess the full significance.