"And where were you last evening?" pursued the coroner.

This time Mr. Hall looked more surprised still, and said

"As it has no bearing on the matter in hand, I prefer not to
answer that rather personal question."

Mr. Monroe looked surprised in his turn, and said: "I think I
must insist upon an answer, Mr. Hall, for it is quite necessary
that we learn the whereabouts of every member of this household
last evening."

"I cannot agree with you, sir," said Gregory Hall, coolly; "my
engagements for last evening were entirely personal matters, in
no way connected with Mr. Crawford's business. As I was not in
West Sedgwick at the time my late employer met his death, I
cannot see that my private affairs need be called into question."

"Quite so, quite so," put in Mr. Orville; but Lemuel Porter
interrupted him.

"Not at all so. I agree with Mr. Monroe, that Mr. Hall should
frankly tell us where he spent last evening."

"And I refuse to do so," said Mr. Hall, speaking not angrily, but
with great decision.

"Your refusal may tend to direct suspicion toward yourself, Mr.
Hall," said the coroner.