“All right, Colonel.” The coroner consulted his notebook as Thornton left them, then turned to Douglas. “You were the first to enter the southwest chamber, were you not?”
“Yes, I broke in a panel of the door with Colonel Thornton’s assistance, and——”
“One moment.” Penfield held up his hand. “Was the door locked on the inside?”
“Yes, by an old-fashioned bolt, as well as by lock and key.”
“Did the bolt and lock work stiffly?”
“They did.”
“In your opinion would a person locking the door and shooting the bolt into place make enough noise to awaken the sleeper?”
“I think so, yes.”
“Did you find the windows of the room also bolted when you entered?”
“No, they were closed, but the bolts, similar to the one on the door, only smaller, were not fastened.”