“Was the house in good condition when you took it?”
“Oh, yes, in excellent condition.”
“No trouble with defective flues or smoking chimneys?”
“None.”
“Have you any idea, Mr. Ogden, how the fire started in your den?”
“Not the faintest,” replied Ogden frankly. “The fire chief and insurance inspector seemed to think it came from crossed electric wires.”
Coroner Penfield frowned. “Their testimony will be taken later; kindly restrict your replies to your own opinions. When did you first discover the fire?”
“While at dinner,” Ogden’s reply was curt, he did not relish rebukes.
“Were you dining alone?”
“No, my wife and I were giving a dinner.”