We know, from the darkey's testimony, that Hobson and his companion appeared in the doorway together; that the man suddenly vanished--probably concealing himself in the shrubbery--as Hobson went back into the house; that a few moments later, the latter reappeared with Mrs.LaGrange; and the darkey tells me that he, supposing all was right, slunk away in the bushes and left them standing there.

We know that the valet, going up stairs a while after, found Mrs.LaGrange in the private library, and at the same time detected the smell of burning paper.

You found the burnt fragments of the will in the grate in the tower-room.
"Now, to my mind, it is perfectly clear that Mrs.LaGrange and Hobson proceeded together to the library and tower-room, where they first destroyed the will, and where she secreted him to await the result of her interview with Mainwaring, at the same time providing him with the private keys by which he could effect his escape, and with Hugh Mainwaring's own revolver with which the terrible deed was done.

Later, finding that Mainwaring would not accede to her demands, I believe she left that room knowing to a certainty what his fate would be in case Hobson could not succeed in making terms with him, and I believe her object in coming down the corridor afterwards was simply to ascertain that her plans were being carried into execution.

Now there is my theory of this whole affair; what do you think of it ?" "Very ingeniously put together! What about the jewels?
Do you think Hobson took them ?" "No.