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.