"When Mr. Darwin left the house for the evening, sir. Or if he was away, as he sometimes is, for days together, it would remain locked while he was gone. That is, it was that way before his marriage, sir. Now I lock up when Mrs. Darwin goes upstairs."
"What time did you close the house last night?"
"At nine-thirty, sir."
"You are sure you locked all the doors and windows securely?"
"Oh, yes, sir, everything except the study, for to my surprise Mr. Orton was in there and said he'd lock the windows himself, sir."
"Why did Mr. Orton's presence in the study surprise you?"
"Because Mr. Darwin always keeps the study locked, sir. I have a duplicate key to let the maid in to clean, sir, and it was my custom in my rounds at night to knock on the door. If I got no answer I went in to see that everything was all right, sir."
"How long has Mr. Darwin been in the habit of locking his study?"
"A good many years, sir, ten or more."
"For what reason?"