As he paced slowly up and down the avenues, his thoughts were not of the present, but of the past and future. At the earliest opportunity that day he had returned to the city, ostensibly, to attend to some telegraphic despatches, but his main errand had been to consult with an eminent lawyer whom he knew by reputation, and in whom both Hugh Mainwaring and Mr. Whitney, in numerous legal contests, had found a powerful and bitter opponent. To him Scott had intrusted his own case, giving him the fullest details, and leaving in his possession for safe keeping the proofs which were soon to play so important a part; and Mr. Sutherland, the attorney retained by Scott, had been present at the inquest, apparently as a disinterested spectator, but, in reality, one of the most intensely interested of them all.
CHAPTER VIII
THE WEAVING OF THE WEB
Ten o'clock found an eager crowd assembled in and about the large library at Fair Oaks, drawn by reports of the sensational features developed on the preceding day. The members of the household occupied nearly the same positions as on the preceding afternoon, with the exception of the secretary, who had entered the room a little in advance of the others and had seated himself near the coroner.
Notwithstanding the glances of doubt and distrust which Scott encountered, and his own consciousness that suspicion against himself would deepen as all the facts in the case became known, he was as impassive as ever. Even Mr. Whitney was wholly at a loss to account for the change in the bearing of the secretary. He was no longer the employee, but carried himself with a proud independence, as though conscious of some mysterious vantage-ground.
On the other side of the coroner, but conveniently near Scott, was Mr. Sutherland, while in the rear, commanding a good view of both gentlemen, as well as of nearly every face in the room, sat Mr. Merrick, though to a stranger his manner would have implied the utmost indifference to the proceedings.
The first witness called for by the coroner was Johnson, the butler. For the first five or ten minutes his testimony was little more than a corroboration of that given by the valet on the preceding day, of the discovery of the death of Hugh Mainwaring.
"You say," said the coroner, "that at Mr. Whitney's request you remained in the upper hall, near the library and within call?"
"Yes, sir."
"Will you state how long a time you should think elapsed between the alarm given by Hardy and the appearance of the entire household, including both the guests and the servants?"
"Well, sir, Hardy gave the alarm a little after seven. The servants were already up and crowded around there immediately, and I should say that every one, including the ladies, was out within twenty minutes, or thirty at the latest, with the exception of Mrs. LaGrange and her son."
"At what time did the latter appear?"
"It must have been considerably after eight o'clock, sir, when she came to the library in response to a message from Mr. Whitney."
"And her son?"
"I did not see Mr. Walter LaGrange at all during the forenoon, sir."
"How was that?" inquired Dr. Westlake, rather quickly. "Was he not at Fair Oaks?"
"I cannot say, sir. I did not see him until luncheon."
"When did you last see Mr. Mainwaring?"
"A little after eleven o'clock night before last, — Wednesday night, sir. I was in the hall as he passed upstairs to his rooms, and I heard him ask Mr. Scott to come to his library."
"Did there seem to be any coldness or unpleasantness between them?"
"No, sir; they both appeared the same as usual."
"Did any strangers call at Fair Oaks Wednesday aside from those mentioned yesterday?"
"No, sir."
"Will you describe the strangers who were here, stating when they called and any particulars you are able to give?"
"The man giving his name as R. Hobson called between eleven and twelve, Wednesday morning. He was tall, with thin features, small, dark eyes, and a very soft voice. He came in a carriage, inquired for Mrs. LaGrange, and seemed in considerable haste. He stayed about an hour. The gentleman who called about four in the afternoon also came in a carriage and inquired for Mr. Mainwaring, saying he had been directed to Fair Oaks at the city offices of Mainwaring & Co. On learning that Mr. Mainwaring was out, he asked for the secretary; and I took his card to Mr. Scott, who gave directions to have him shown up into the library. I do not know when he left. He was tall, with black hair and moustache and dark glasses."
"Mr. Hobson's call occasioned considerable comment at luncheon, did it not?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did you observe that it had any effect on Mr. Mainwaring?"
"Well, sir, I thought he appeared considerably annoyed, and after luncheon he asked me whether Mr. Hobson had inquired for him."
"Did you admit Hobson when he called in the evening?"
"I did not, sir. I merely met him at the door and directed him to the south side entrance."
"At Mrs. LaGrange's request?"
"Yes, sir; in accordance with her instructions."
"Did she give any reason for such instructions?"
"Merely that his former call had caused so much remark she wished to receive him privately."
"Was he alone when he called the second time?"
"No, sir."
"Can you describe the person who accompanied him?"
"No, sir. The man stood so far in the shadow that I could only see the outlines of his form. I should say he was about the same height as Mr. Hobson, but considerably heavier."
"Do you know at what hour they left?"
"No, sir."
Further questions failing to elicit any facts bearing upon the situation, the butler was dismissed, and Brown, the coachman, took his place. The latter was far less taciturn than the butler, seeming rather eager to impart some piece of information which he evidently considered of special importance.
After a few preliminary questions, the coroner said, —
"At what time, and from whom, did you first hear of Mr. Mainwaring's death?"
"About half-past seven, yesterday morning, sir. I was a-taking care of the horses, sir, when Uncle Mose — he's the gardener, sir — he comes past the stable on his way to the tool-house, and he tells me that Mr. Mainwaring had been murdered in the night, right in his own rooms, and then he tells me-"
"How long had you been up and at work in the stables?"
"Before I heard of the murder? Well, about an hour, I should say. I generally gets up at six."
"Had you been to the house that morning?"
"No, sir; but I went right up there after seeing Uncle Mose, and I was in the kitchen telling what I had seen the night before, when the butler he comes down and said as how Mr. Ralph Mainwaring wanted me, and that I had better keep my mouth shut till I was asked to tell what I knew."
"Where were you last Wednesday night?" asked the coroner, rather abruptly.
Brown looked surprised, but answered readily, "I was out with some friends