noon
There was no need to go behind the evidence of the constable , the only companion of the murdered man and first discoverer of the body . The fact that he , on the ground floor , had slept through the struggle and the report , made the obliviousness of the couple in the room above a rational sequence . The dazed Ira was set aside , after half a dozen contemptuous questions ; the chivalry of a Californian jury excused the attendance of a frightened and hysterical woman confined to her room . By noon they had departed with the body , and the long afternoon shadows settled over the lonely plain and silent house . At nightfall Ira appeared at the door , and stood for some moments scanning the plain ; he was seen later by two packers , who had glanced furtively at the scene of the late tragedy , sitting outside his doorway , a mere shadow in the darkness ; and a mounted patrol later in the night saw a light in the bedroom window where the invalid Mrs. Beasley was confined . But no one saw her afterwards . Later , Ira explained that she had gone to visit a relative until her health was restored .