I kept my part of the contract, but he failed in his.

I wrote him, therefore, threatening, unless he fulfilled his share of the agreement, to institute proceedings against him, which would naturally involve a disclosure of his secret.
He never paid me in full and the secret is still mine," he paused, then added slowly, "to keep or to sell, as will pay me best." "Was Hugh Mainwaring ever married ?" the coroner asked, abruptly.
"I believe he was not generally considered a married man, sir." "Was there ever any private marriage ?" Hobson smiled enigmatically.

"You already have the word of the lady herself, sir; that should be sufficient.

I cannot reveal any of Hugh Mainwaring's secrets,--unless I am well paid for it!" Hobson was dismissed without further questions, and the examination being now at an end, the coroner's jury retired to the room in the rear of the library.

Very few left the house, for all felt that little time would be required for the finding of a verdict, and comment and opinion were freely exchanged.
"Well," said Mr.Sutherland, turning towards the secretary with a smile, "they did not learn one fact from that last witness, for I doubt whether one of the few statements he did make had an iota of truth in it.