Mr. Higgenbotham paused for a moment, producing a package from an inner pocket, which he proceeded to open.

“We secured a loan of the jewels for a few days,” he continued, advancing towards the coroner.  “Here they are, and here is a copy of the list of which I spoke.  By comparing these gems with the description of those which I have checked on the list, you will see that they are identical.”

He placed the open casket on the table.  There was a moment’s silence, broken by subdued exclamations of admiration as Dr. Westlake lifted the gems from their resting-place.

“You are correct,” he said; “the description is complete.  There is no doubt that these are a part of the collection.  I see you have marked the value of these two items as seven thousand dollars.”

“Yes; that is a moderate valuation.  And were the prices of the other articles carried out, you would see that, with the exception of a few very small pieces, these have the least value of the entire lot.  I believe I can be of no further service.”

Mrs. LaGrange was next recalled.

“Have you anything to say in reference to the testimony just given?” the coroner inquired.

“I have this much to say,” she replied, haughtily, “that I could have given you the history of those jewels, including, perhaps, some facts of which even Mr. Higgenbotham and Mr. Whitney are in ignorance, and thus have spared you the infinite pains you have taken to make public the straits to which I was reduced, because of my position here, when in need of a little ready money.  I could have informed you that they were originally a part of the old Mainwaring collection of gems, until they were given me by my husband.”

“It hardly seems consistent that a man who treated his wife in the manner in which you claim to have been treated would bestow upon her gifts of such value as these,” the coroner remarked with emphasis.

“They were of little value to him,” she answered, with scorn; “as you have been informed, they were the poorest which he possessed.  Besides, there were times when I could persuade him to almost anything, — anything but to acknowledge his lawful wife and his legitimate son.”

“Was the money which you were forced to raise by the sale of these jewels to be paid to Hobson?”

“It was.”

“In accordance with the terms of your contract with him, made a few hours preceding the death of Mr. Mainwaring?”

“Yes,” she replied, defiantly.  “And as you probably would ask the nature of that contract, I will save you the trouble.  Knowing that my son and I were likely to be defrauded of our rights in the same manner in which Hugh Mainwaring had defrauded others, I engaged Mr. Hobson as my attorney, as he, better than any one else, knew the facts in the case.  When I learned yesterday morning of my husband’s death, I realized that I would have immediate need of his services, and accordingly sent him word to that effect.  He demanded a large cash payment at once.  The result of this demand Mr. Higgenbotham has already told you.”