The coroner turned once more to the butler. "When did you last see Mr. Darwin alive?"
"Yesterday about six o'clock, sir. He was just going out."
"Then he was not home for dinner?"
"No, sir. Mr. Orton and Mrs. Darwin dined alone, sir, for even Mr. Lee was away."
"Who is Mr. Lee?"
"Mr. Darwin's nephew, sir. He has lived here ever since he was a lad, sir."
Coroner Graves pondered a moment, then asked abruptly, "Have you ever noticed any signs of ill-feeling between your master and mistress?"
The answer came without a moment's hesitation, "No, sir, and even if I did it was not my place, begging your pardon, sir, to pry into the affairs of my betters."
The jury smiled, but the coroner frowned as he told Mason that he was through questioning him, for he was evidently a stickler in regard to upholding the dignity of the law as embodied in his own proper person, of course.
The examination of the other servants was a mere formality. None of them knew anything of the tragedy and they were disposed of in a group with the exception of the valet and Ruth's maid.