"Yessir. After 'bout fifteen minutes Hamilton cum out lookin' mighty black an' mutterin' under his breff. Den Marse James rung fo' me ag'in, an' sent me to tell Marse Philip dat he wanted ter see him to onst." "Was there anything unusual in Senator Carew's manner?" inquired Douglas, who had been listening attentively to the old darky's statements. "He seemed considerable put out, dat was all," responded Joshua, after due reflection. "Was Senator Carew irritable and quick-tempered?" "Mostly he was real easy-going, but sometimes he had flare-ups, an' den it was bes' ter keep outer his way." "Did you find Mr. Winthrop?" "Yessir. I gib him de message, an' he went right down to de lib'ary." "Do you know how long Senator Carew and young Winthrop remained in this room?" "No, suh. I went ter de fron' doo', an' while in de hall I heard a regular ruction goin' on inside dis room." "Could you hear what was said?" demanded Brett eagerly. Joshua shook his head. "I couldn't make out a word, but Marse James' voice was powerful riz an' Marse Philip's, too." "Was that the first time that Senator Carew and Mr. Winthrop have quarreled?" "Deys had words now and den," muttered Joshua, evasively. "About what?" broke in Douglas, sharply. "Oh, nuffin in particular. Marse James uster get mad with Marse Philip 'cause he wore so lazy, an' den he's been adrinkin' right smart, which Marse James didn't like nuther." "Is Mr. Winthrop a heavy drinker?" "No, suh, but he's been adrinkin' pretty steady fo' de pas' three months." "Have you any idea, Joshua, what caused the quarrel yesterday afternoon?" "Well, it mighter started over Hamilton. Marse Philip persuaded Marse James to keep him las' fall when he was 'bout to discharge him fo' bein' impertinent." "Did Senator Carew give you a letter to mail yesterday afternoon, or a note to deliver for him?" inquired Douglas thoughtfully. "No, suh, he did not," Joshua declared with firmness. "How long have you been with Senator Carew, Joshua?" "Most thirty years, suh. I worked fust fo' his father, der ole Gineral. Ef yo' doan want me fo' nuffin' mo', gen'man, I reckon I'll go an' close up de house fo' de night." "All right, Joshua," and the butler beat a hasty retreat. Douglas took out his cigarette case and handed it to Brett. "Formed any new theory?" he asked, striking a match and applying it to the cigarette between his lips. Brett did not answer at once. "The inquest will make Winthrop and Joshua talk. I am convinced neither of them has told all he knows of this affair," he said finally. Douglas nodded in agreement. "But the inquest will have to be postponed now. Winthrop is in no shape to appear before it." "And Miss Carew, who is an equally important witness, is still confined to her bed," volunteered Brett. "Miss Thornton tells me that she cries whenever the subject of the murder is mentioned, and that she is completely unstrung by the tragedy."