Easily and leisurely Courtenay gave his testimony, which was to the effect that after the dinner guests had scattered into the various rooms, he had been in the Billiard Room until he went home. Several others had been there, but had drifted away, and he was for a time alone there with his hostess. Then he had taken leave, going out from the Billiard Room, which had an outside door. He had not gone directly home, but had sauntered across a lawn, and had sat for a short time on a garden seat, smoking. He had chanced to sit facing the studio South window, and had noticed the light go out in that room. He thought nothing of it, nor when, a few moments later the room was relit, did he think it strange in any way. Why shouldn't people light and relight their rooms as they chose? He then went home, knowing nothing of the tragedy and heard nothing of it till morning. No further questioning brought out anything of importance and Courtenay was dismissed. Mr. and Mrs. Truxton gave no new information. They told of the dinner party, and of the hours afterward. Mr. Truxton mentioned the jewels exhibited by Eric Stannard, and dilated slightly upon them with the enthusiasm of a gem lover, but neither he nor his wife could shed any light on the mystery. "Where are these jewels?" asked Lamson, suddenly, scenting a possible robbery. "I don't know," Joyce answered, listlessly. "Mr. Stannard kept some of them in Safety Deposit and some in the house. He had a place of concealment for them, but I preferred not to know where it is. When I wished to wear any of the jewels he got them for me, and afterward put them away again." "Do you not think, Mrs. Stannard, that a burglar intent on securing these gems might have attempted a robbery, and----" "Come, come, Lamson," interposed Inspector Bardon, "a burglar would scarcely make his attempt while the household was still up, the house alight, and people sauntering through the grounds." "No, of course not," responded the Coroner, in no wise abashed. Next, Barry Stannard was asked to tell what he could of the whole matter. "It was the work of a burglar," said young Stannard, confidently; "it simply shows his cleverness that he chose a time when he could effect an entrance easily. He need not have been a rough customer. He may have been of a gentlemanly type,--even in evening clothes. But he gained access to my father, I haven't the slightest doubt, and brought to bear some influence or threat that he hoped would gain him his end. When my father refused his demands,--this is my theory and belief,--he either feared discovery or, in a rage of revenge, killed my father with the nearest weapon he could snatch at." "And then, you think, Mr. Stannard, that this intruder turned off the lights and made his exit just before the ladies entered the room?" "I do. He was evidently a cool hand, and made a quick and clever getaway."