nearly eleven o'clock
When he had resumed his seat the coroner remarked , -- `` As a matter of form , I will have to call upon the ladies , though it is not expected they will be able to furnish any information throwing light on this mysterious case . '' It was , as he had said , little more than a ceremony and occupied but a few moments . Miss Carleton was the last one called upon . She stated that it was nearly eleven o'clock when she reached her room , but added that she did not retire immediately , as her cousin , Miss Thornton , had come in , and they had chatted together for more than an hour ; that while so engaged , she heard Mr. Scott come up-stairs and enter his room , which adjoined hers , and lock the door for the night . `` At what hour was this ? '' inquired the coroner . `` It could not have been more than twenty minutes after twelve , as it was twenty-five minutes after twelve when my cousin went to her room , and this was about five minutes earlier . ''