I drew close to him, while John and the lawyer were debating the question of going through Mrs. Inglethorp's papers. 
John and the lawyer were considering going through Mrs. Inglethorp's papers.
mnli hypothesis: John and the lawyer were considering going through Mrs. Inglethorp's papers. premise: I drew close to him, while John and the lawyer were debating the question of going through Mrs. Inglethorp's papers. 