The next moment it had returned, to abide with him throughout the rest of the examination.
"This Mr.Collins--can you explain how he got in here without being observed by the clerks ?" asked the coroner.
"No," snapped the secretary.
"What motive had he for killing Mr.Whitmore ?" the coroner fired at him.
"None that I know of," declared Beard.
"Well, tell us in your own way what connection Mr.Collins had with this crime," the coroner said persuasively.
"I have nothing to tell." It was manifest that the secretary regretted his first outburst against Collins and was now prepared to counter every effort of his questioner.
The coroner, however, was not to be easily repulsed.
"This, sir, is a solemn inquest into the death of Herbert Whitmore," he informed the other.

"I am now holding court, as authorized by the statute.

You will regard yourself as a duly summoned witness.

Raise your right hand!" Beard lifted a trembling hand above his head.
"You do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!" intoned the official.

Producing pencil and paper he prepared to record the answers of the witness.
"You have accused one George Collins of the crime of murder," he pursued.