He foresaw that if the story of William Roper were told, and the story of Lord Loudwater's quarrel with Colonel Grey at the "Cart and Horses," there would be a painful scandal.

The majority of the people of the neighbourhood would at once believe and declare that Lady Loudwater, or Colonel Grey, or both, had murdered Lord Loudwater.

Such a scandal would in no way serve his purpose.

It might rather hamper him.

Pressure might be put on him which might force him to take steps before the time was ripe for them.
There was no difficulty in their having exactly the kind of inquest they wanted, for it was wholly in the hands of Mr.Flexen and the Coroner.
After careful discussion they decided to limit it to Dr.Thornhill's evidence, and that of the servants with regard to the dead nobleman's mood on the night of his death.