登陆注册
5472800000031

第31章 BOOK II:AS SEEN BY DETECTIVE SWEETWATER(10)

"Our first difficulty is this.We must prove motive.Now,I do not think it will be so very hard to show that this Brotherson cherished feelings of revenge towards Miss Challoner.But I have to acknowledge right here and now that the most skillful and vigourous pumping of the janitor and such other tenants of the Hicks Street tenement as I have dared to approach,fails to show that he has ever held any communication with Mrs.Spotts,or even knew of her existence until her remarkable death attracted his attention.Ihave spent all the afternoon over this,and with no result.Acomplete break in the chain at the very start.""Humph!we will set that down,then,as so much against us.""The next,and this is a bitter pill too,is the almost insurmountable difficulty already recognised of determining how a man,without approaching his victim,could manage to inflict a mortal stab in her breast.No cloak of complete invisibility has yet been found,even by the cleverest criminals.""True.The problem is such as a nightmare offers.For years my dreams have been haunted by a gnome who proposes just such puzzles.""But there's an answer to everything,and I'm sure there's an answer to this.Remember his business.He's an inventor,with startling ideas.So much I've seen for myself.You may stretch probabilities a little in his case;and with this conceded,we may add by way of off-set to the difficulties you mention,coincidences of time and circumstance,and his villainous heart.Oh,I know that I am prejudiced;but wait and see!Miss Challoner was well rid of him even at the cost of her life.""She loved him.Even her father believes that now.Some lately discovered letters have come to light to prove that she was by no means so heart free as he supposed.One of her friends,it seems,has also confided to him that once,while she and Miss Challoner were sitting together,she caught Miss Challoner in the act of scribbling capitals over a sheet of paper.They were all B's with the exception of here and there a neatly turned 0,and when her friend twitted her with her fondness for these two letters,and suggested a pleasing monogram,Miss Challoner answered,'0.B.

(transferring the letters,as you see)are the initials of the finest man in the world.'""Gosh!has he heard this story?"

"Who?"

"The gentleman in question."

"Mr.Brotherson?"

Yes."

"I don't think so.It was told me in confidence.""Told you,Mr.Gryce?Pardon my curiosity."

"By Mr.Challoner."

"Oh!by Mr.Challoner."

"He is greatly distressed at having the disgraceful suggestion of suicide attached to his daughter's name.Notwithstanding the circumstances,-not -withstanding his full recognition of her secret predilection for a man of whom he had never heard till the night of her death,he cannot believe that she struck the blow she did,intentionally.He sent for me in order to inquire if anything could be done to reinstate her in public opinion.He dared not insist that another had wielded the weapon which laid her low so suddenly,but he asked if,in my experience,it had never been known that a woman,hyper-sensitive to some strong man's magnetic influence,should so follow his thought as to commit an act which never could have arisen in her own mind,uninfluenced.He evidently does not like Brotherson either.""And what -what did you -say?"asked Sweetwater,with a halting utterance and his face full of thought.

"I simply quoted the latest authority on hypnotism that no person even in hypnotic sleep could be influenced by another to do what was antagonistic to his natural instincts.""Latest authority.That doesn't mean a final one.Supposing that it was hypnotism!But that wouldn't account for Mrs.Spotts'death.

Her wound certainly was not a self-inflicted one.""How can you be sure?"

"There was no weapon found in the room,or in the court.The snow was searched and the children too.No weapon,Mr.Gryce,not even a paper-cutter.Besides -but how did Mr.Challoner take what you said?Was he satisfied with this assurance?""He had to be.I didn't dare to hold out any hope based on so unsubstantial a theory.But the interview had this effect upon me.

If the possibility remains of fixing guilt elsewhere than on Miss Challoner's inconsiderate impulse,I am ready to devote any amount of time and strength to the work.To see this grieving father relieved from the worst part of his burden is worth some effort and now you know why I have listened so eagerly to you.Sweetwater,Iwill go with you to the Superintendent.We may not gain his attention and again we may.If we don t -but we won't cross that bridge prematurely.When will you be ready for this business?""I must be at Headquarters to-morrow."

"Good,then let it be to-morrow.A taxicab,Sweetwater.The subway for the young.I can no longer manage the stairs."

XIV

A CONCESSION

"It is true;there seems to be something extraordinary in the coincidence."Thus Mr.Brotherson,in the presence of the Inspector.

"But that is all there is to it,"he easily proceeded."I knew Miss Challoner and I have already said how much and how little Ihad to do with her death.The other woman I did not know at all;I did not even know her name.A prosecution based on grounds so flimsy as those you advance would savour of persecution,would it not?

同类推荐
  • 芦浦笔记

    芦浦笔记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 己酉避乱录

    己酉避乱录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 顺宗实录

    顺宗实录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 靖康缃素杂记

    靖康缃素杂记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 上蔡语录

    上蔡语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 空是海上月

    空是海上月

    乱七八糟的天马行空的诗意白话你喜欢的样子我都有(更不更新全靠缘~)
  • The World Set Free

    The World Set Free

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    青涩蜕变,如今她是能独当一面的女boss,爱了冷泽聿七年,也同样花了七年时间去忘记他。以为是陌路,他突然向他表白,扬言要娶她,她只当他是脑子抽风,他的殷勤她也全都无视。他帮她查她父母的死因,赶走身边情敌,解释当初拒绝她的告别,和故意对她冷漠都是无奈之举。突然爆出她父母的死居然和冷家有丝毫联系,还莫名跳出个公爵未婚夫,扬言要与她履行婚约。峰回路转,破镜还能重圆吗? PS:我又开新文了,每逢假期必书荒,新文《有你的世界遇到爱》,喜欢我的文的朋友可以来看看,这是重生类现言,对这个题材感兴趣的一定要收藏起来。
  • 从无敌开始的异世界

    从无敌开始的异世界

    新书《归灵乐园》已经发布,欢迎大家收藏支持! 书友群835875215(群内有无上神功,可助诸君天下无敌!) 简介:一觉醒来化身异界天才少年 奈何却保护不了自己的妹妹。 没关系!穿越之神在线送礼! “恭喜主角获得999无敌大礼包!”从此世界安静了。熟悉的BGM骤然响起。 无敌是多么,多么寂寞…… 从此,陈秀踏上一条装逼之路。 路边捡块板砖,绝世神兵一样干翻。 随便吹口灵气,八十岁老汉突破武帝。 没事儿立个宗门,隐世老怪物哭着喊着要入门。
  • 这个公主不走主线

    这个公主不走主线

    世有妍兮妍有情,心悦君兮君当知。最后一次是生死的离别。再一次见面是总角之宴。年少的重聚是改变所有的契机陌君泽和芷妍的第一次见面,救人。第二次再见,杀人。第三次见面,过生辰并杀人。君泽:“妍妍!你能不能有一天是闲的,用来陪我!”作为活下去和报仇是最高目标的芷妍:活下来了,我就陪你。对于前世渣男的出现,两人终于找到了共同的乐趣。
  • 世界第一的公主殿下Ⅱ(公主篇)

    世界第一的公主殿下Ⅱ(公主篇)

    原本闪着星星眼、追寻夏炽来到意大利的唐桃,一下飞机就被神秘少女柳原淳子设计,被迫变身成“钢琴小天后”。本来以为只是帮个小忙,没想到意大利的贵族学院里危机丛生。在享誉世界的白骑士节上,唐桃这个音痴居然要扮演世界一流的钢琴手?!白马王子朱利安的闯入,剧烈地动摇着唐桃坚定的心,而夏炽母亲的线索浮出水面,尘封多年的秘密就藏在真叶老师珍藏的信中?柳原淳子是谁?朱利安是谁?当他们穿着华丽的晚礼服,在舞池中翩翩起舞的时候,假面的背后隐藏着怎样的过去,对方的眼里倒映着怎样的未来?当岚组的成员终究迎来了选择的时刻,当名为梦想的道路在眼前铺开,当周围的同伴都选择大步向前,唐桃又该何去何从?
  • 花都至尊奶爸

    花都至尊奶爸

    六万年前,萧廷吞噬异果,一跃成为至尊圣者。六万年后,他从宇宙归来,却发现地球只过去了五年。什么?我不是天生绝育了么?怎么会有一个可爱的女儿?冷静点!看着眼前这个粉雕玉琢的小女孩,萧廷彻底懵圈了!……至尊归来,从奶爸做起!我萧廷立志要当个绝世无双的妻管严,兼宠娃狂魔!
  • 旅游

    旅游

    这是一座小客运站。几间老旧简陋的红砖平房,墙面上既残留着斑斑驳驳的宣传标语,又粉刷着几条鲜艳夺目的化肥广告。平房前边是一块操场大小的停车场。停车场边上散落着几家饭馆、发廊和食杂店,还有许多就地摆卖山货和药材的村民。厕所就在饭馆后边。小李溜进去,一猫腰躲进最里面的一个蹲坑,左右观察了一下,小心地掏出腰里的盒子。盒子有两块肥皂大小,外面印着“咖啡伴侣”的字样,里面装满了乳白色粉末。当然,他知道自己手里的东西不是伴侣。
  • 追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    青涩蜕变,如今她是能独当一面的女boss,爱了冷泽聿七年,也同样花了七年时间去忘记他。以为是陌路,他突然向他表白,扬言要娶她,她只当他是脑子抽风,他的殷勤她也全都无视。他帮她查她父母的死因,赶走身边情敌,解释当初拒绝她的告别,和故意对她冷漠都是无奈之举。突然爆出她父母的死居然和冷家有丝毫联系,还莫名跳出个公爵未婚夫,扬言要与她履行婚约。峰回路转,破镜还能重圆吗? PS:我又开新文了,每逢假期必书荒,新文《有你的世界遇到爱》,喜欢我的文的朋友可以来看看,这是重生类现言,对这个题材感兴趣的一定要收藏起来。
  • 洛天依的时空之旅

    洛天依的时空之旅

    一歌一世界,一情含一切。刀马红颜,绿茶,夜舞,霜雪千年,中华铄金娘……“三千世界,繁华过,不及你的回眸”“待我再寻到你,我们不要再分开了,好吗”只为心中执念,只为心中那道火红身影,她穿越着一个又一个世界,只为在那里,找到属于她的痕迹。欢迎加入洛天依的异次元之旅,群聊号码:732664966