“Yes; that is, those on the first floor and in the basement were locked,” explained Mitchell. “The windows on the second and third floors were unlocked, but closed. Sunday was a cold day,” he added.
“In your opinion, Mitchell, could the house have been entered from the second story?” asked Penfield.
The inspector considered the question before answering. “No, Sir, not without a ladder, and we found none on the premises. The house sets back in its own grounds, so to speak, and the neighboring houses are quite far away. There is no party wall, and no porch roof to aid a housebreaker.”
“That is all for the present, Inspector. As you go out, ask O’Bryan to come here.”
The plain clothes officer kept them waiting only a brief second. His testimony simply corroborated that of his superior officer, and Patrolman Myers, who followed him, added nothing of interest. Upon his departure from the platform, his place was taken by an old negro, who, with some difficulty, mounted the steps and hobbled across the platform to the witness chair.
“What is your name?” asked Coroner Penfield, who had waited in some impatience while the witness was being sworn.
“Oscar, Sah, please, Sah.”
“Oscar what?”
“Oscar Benjamin De Cassenove Jackson, Sah.”