The Coroner referred to the plan.

"There is a gas-lamp near the window of the bedroom. Did you not
see her in that light?"

"Oh, yes, sir; but just for a moment. I took very little notice.
Had I known that the gentleman was to be murdered, I should have
taken a great deal of notice."

"Well, about this locked door?"

"It was locked over-night, sir, but when I went next morning, it
was not locked. I knocked and knocked, but could get no answer.
As it was eleven, I thought the gentleman was sleeping very long,
so I tried to open the door. It was not locked, as I say--but,"
added witness with emphasis, "the window was snibbed and the
blind was down."

"That is natural enough," said the Coroner. "Mr. Bolton, after
his interview with the woman, would of course snib the window,
and pull down the blind. When he went away next morning he would
unlock the door."

"Begging your pardon, sir, but, as we know, he didn't go away
next morning, being in the packing case, nailed down."

The Coroner could have kicked himself for the very natural
mistake he had made, for he saw a derisive grin on the faces
around him, and particularly on that of Inspector Date.