CHAPTERI
INTHEPOLICECOURT
TeAssistantDistrictAttorneyglanceddownatthepapersinhishandandthenupatthewell—dressed,stockilybuiltmanoccupyingthewitnessstand。Hismannerwasconciliatory。
\"Accordingtoyourtestimony,Mr。Clymer,theprisoner,JohnSylvester,washonestandreliable,andfaithfullyperformedhisdutiesasconfidentialclerk,\"hestated。\"JustwhenwasSylvesterinyouremploy?\"
\"Sylvesterwasneverinmyemploy,\"correctedBenjaminAugustusClymer。ThepresidentoftheMetropolisTrustCompanywasnotedforhisprecisionofspeech。\"Duringthewinterof1918IsharedanapartmentwithJudgeJamesHildebrand,whoemployedSylvester。\"
\"WasSylvesteraddictedtodrink?\"
\"No。\"
\"Washequarrelsome?\"
\"No。\"
\"WasSylvestermarriedatthatdate?\"
AtthequestionafaintsmiletouchedthecornersofClymer’scleanshavenmouthandhiseyestraveledinvoluntarilytowardtheover—dressedfemalewhosechargeofassaultandbatteryagainstherhusbandhadbroughtClymertothepolicecourtasa\"character\"
witnessinSylvester’sbehalf。
\"SylvesterleftJudgeHildebrandtogetmarried,\"heexplained。
\"Hewasamodelclerk;honest,sober,andindustrious。\"
\"Thatisall,Mr。Clymer。\"TheAssistantDistrictAttorneyspokeinsomehaste。\"Youmayretire,sir,\"and,asClymerturnedtovacatethewitnessbox,headdressedthepresidingjudge。
Clymerdidnotcatchhisremarksas,onsteppingdown,hewasbutton—holedbyamanwhoseentrancehadoccurredafewminutesbeforethroughtheswingdoorwhichgaveexitfromthespacereservedforwitnessesandlawyersintothebodyofthecourtroom。
\"Sitoverhereasecond,\"thenewcomersaidinanundertone,indicatingthelongbenchunderthewindow。\"HasMissMcIntyrebeenhere?\"
\"MissMcIntyre—here?\"Clymerstaredinamazementathisquestioner。
\"No,certainlynot。\"
\"Don’tbesopositive,\"retortedthelawyerheatedly,hiscolorrisingattheother’sincreduloustone。\"HelenMcIntyretelephonedmetomeether,and—byJove,hereshecomes,\"asaslightstiratthebackofthecourtroomcausedhimtoglanceinthatdirection。
Agray—hairedpatrolman,capinhand,wasintheleadofthesmallprocessionwhichfileduptheaisle,andClymergazedinastonishmentatHelenMcIntyreandhertwinsister,Barbara。Whathadbroughtthematthathourtothepolicecourt?
Thecourtroomwasfilledwithmen,bothwhiteandblack,whileadozenormoreslatternlynegrowomenwereseatedhereandthere。
TheAssistantDistrictAttorney’spleaforapostponementoftheSylvestercaseonthegroundoftheabsenceofanimportantwitnessandthegrantingofhispleawasentirelylostonthemajorityofthoseinthecourtroom,theirattentionbeingwhollycenteredonHelenMcIntyreandBarbara,whosebearingandclothesspokeofafashionableandprosperousworldtowhichnearlyallpresentwereutterlyforeign。
Barbara,sensitivetotheconcentratedregardwhichtheirentrancehadattracted,drewclosertoDr。AmosStone,theirfamilyphysician,whohadaccompaniedthematherparticularrequest。ExceptforMrs。
Sylvester,sheandhersisterweretheonlywhitewomenintheroom。
Beforetheycouldtaketheseatstowhichtheyhadbeenushered,theclerk’sstentoriantonessentthegirls’namesechoingdownthecourtroomandBarbara,muchperturbed,foundherselfstandingwithHelenbeforetheclerk’sdesk。Therewasamoment’swaitandthedeputymarshal,whohadmotionedtooneoftheprisonerssittinginthe\"cage\"tostepoutside,emphasizedhisorderwithamutteredimprecationtohurry。AslouchingfigurefinallyshambledpasthimandstoppedsomelittledistancefromthegroupinfrontoftheJudge’sbench。
\"House—breaking,\"announcedtheclerk。\"Chargebroughtby—\"Helookedupatthetwogirls。
\"MissHelenMcIntyre,\"answeredoneofthetwinscomposedly。
\"DaughterofColonelCharlesMcIntyreofthiscity。\"
\"ChargebroughtbyMissHelenMcIntyre,\"continuedtheclerk,\"against—\"andhispointedfingerindicatedtheseedylookingmanslouchingbeforethem。
\"Smith,\"saidthelatter,andhishuskyvoicewasbarelyaudible。
\"Smith,\"repeatedtheclerk。\"Firstname—?\"
\"John,\"wastheanswer,givenafteraslightpause。
\"JohnSmith,youarechargedbyMissHelenMcIntyrewithhouse—breaking。Whatsayyou—guiltyornotguilty?\"
Themanshiftedhisweightfromonefoottotheotherandshotanuneasylookabouthim。
\"Notguilty,\"heresponded。
AtthatinstantHelencaughtsightofBenjaminClymerandhiscompanion,PhilipRochester,andherpalecheeksflushedfaintlyatthelawyer’sapproach。Hehadtimebutforahastyhandshakebeforetheclerkadministeredtheoathtotheprisonerandthewitnessesinthecase。
RochesterwalkedbackandresumedhisseatbyClymer。Proppinghimselfinthecornermadebythebenchandthecage,insideofwhichsattheprisoners,heopenedhisrighthandandunfoldedasmallpaper。Hereadthebriefpenciledmessageitcontainednotoncebutadozentimes。FoldingthepaperintominutedimensionshetuckeditcarefullyinsidehisvestpocketandglancedsidewaysatClymer。ThebankerhardlynoticedhisuneasymovementsashesatregardingHelenMcIntyrestandinginthewitnessbox。Althoughpalerthanusual,thegirl’smannerwasquiet,butClymer,aclosestudentofhumannature,decidedshewaskeepinghercomposurebywillpoweralone,andhisinterestgrew。
TheJudge,fromtheBench,wasalsoregardingthehandsomewitnessandtheburglarwithcloseattention。ColonelCharlesMcIntyre,awealthymanufacturer,had,uponhisretirementfromactivebusiness,madetheNationalCapitalhishome,andhisnamehadbecomeahouseholdwordforphilanthropy,whilehistwindaughterswerebothpopularinWashington’sgayyoungerset。Severalreportersoflocalpapers,attractedbythementionoftheMcIntyrename,aswellasbythetwins’appearance,watchedthescenewithkeenexpectancy,eagerforearlymorning\"copy。\"
AstheAssistantDistrictAttorneyrosetoquestionHelenMcIntyre,theJudgeaddressedhim。
\"Istheprisonerrepresentedbycounsel?\"heasked。
Forreplytheburglarshookhishead。Risingslowlytohisfeet,PhilipRochesteradvancedtotheman’sside。
\"Ifitpleasethecourt,\"hebegan,\"Iwilltakethecasefortheprisoner。\"
HisofferreceivedaquickacceptancefromtheBench,butthescowlwithwhichtheburglarfavoredhimwasnotpleasant。Hitchingathisfrayedflannelcollar,themanpartlyturnedhisbackonthelawyerandlistenedwithaheavyfrowntoHelen’squickanswerstothequestionsputtoher。
\"Whilewaitingformysistertoreturnfromadanceearlythismorning,\"shestated,\"Iwentdownstairsintothelibrary,andasIentereditIsawamanslipacrosstheroomandintoacoatcloset。Iretainedenoughpresenceofmindtostealacrosstotheclosetandturnthekeyinthedoor;thenIrantothewindowandfortunatelysawOfficerO’Ryanstandingunderthearclightacrossthestreet。Icalledhimandhearrestedtheprisoner。\"
HersimplestatementevokedanodofapprovalfromtheAssistantDistrictAttorney,andRochesterfrownedashewaivedhisrighttocross—examineher。ThenextwitnesswasOfficerO’Ryan,andhistestimonyconfirmedHelen’s。
\"Theprisonerwasstandingbackamongthecoatsinthecloset,\"hesaid。\"Myautomaticagainsthisribsbroughthimout。\"
\"Didyousearchyourprisoner?\"askedRochester,ashetookthewitness。
\"Yes,sir。
\"Findanyconcealedweapons?\"
\"No,sir。\"
\"Aburglar’skit?\"
\"No,sir。\"
\"Didtheprisonermakeastatementafterhisarrest?\"
\"No,sir;hecamealongpeaceablyenough,hardlyawordoutofhim,\"acknowledgedO’Ryanregretfully。Heenjoyedareputationontheforceasa\"scrapper,\"andawillingprisonerwasadisappointmenttohisnaturallypugnaciousdisposition。
\"Didyousearchthehouse?\"
\"Sure,andhaven’tIbeentellingyouIdid?\"answeredO’Ryan;hisprideinhisachievementinarrestingaburglarinsofashionableaneighborhoodasSheridanCirclewasgivingplacetoresentmentatRochester’smannerofaddressinghim。Atasignfromthelawyer,heleftthewitnessstand,andRochesteraddressedtheJudge。
\"Iasktheindulgenceofthecourtformoretime,\"hecommenced,\"thatImayconsultmyclientandfindifhedesirestocallwitnesses。\"
\"Thecourtfinds,\"respondedtheJudge,\"thataclearcaseofhouse—breakinghasbeenprovenagainsttheprisonerbyreputablewitnesses。Hewillhavetostandtrial。\"
Forthefirsttimetheprisonerraisedhiseyesfromcontemplationofthefloor。
\"Idemandtrialbyjury,\"heannounced。
\"Itisyourright,\"acknowledgedtheJudge,andturnedtoconsulthiscalendar。
Steppingforward,thedeputymarshallaidhishandontheburglar’sshoulder。
\"Goinside,\"hedirectedandheldopenthecagedoor,whichimmediatelyswungbackintoplace,andRochester,followingcloselyattheprisoner’sheels,haltedabruptly。Afitofcoughingshooktheburglarandhepausedbytheironrailing,gaspingforbreath。
\"Water,\"hepleaded,andacourtattendanthandedacuptoRochester,standingjustoutsidethecage,andhepasseditovertheironrailingtotheburglar。ThenturningonhisheelthelawyerrejoinedClymer,hisdiscontentplainlydiscernible。
\"Aclearcaseagainstyourclient,\"remarkedClymer,readinghisthoughts。\"Don’ttaketheaffairtoheart,man;youdidyourbestunderdifficulties。\"
Rochestershookhisheadgloomily。\"Imighthave—Jove!whydidn’tIaskforbail?\"
\"Bail!\"Thebankersuppressedachuckleasheeyedthethreadbaresuitandtatteredappearanceoftheburglar,whohadresumedhisseatintheprisoner’scage。\"Whowouldhavestoodsuretyforthatscarecrow?\"
\"Iwouldhave。\"Rochesterspokewithsomevehemence,buthiswordswerepartlydrownedbytheviolentfitofcoughingwhichagainshooktheburglar,andbeforehecouldfinishhissentence,HelenMcIntyrestoodathiselbow。ShebowedgravelytoClymerwhoroseatherapproach,andlaidapersuasivehandonRochester’ssleeve。
\"Willyoucomewithus?\"sheasked。\"BarbaraandDr。Stonearereadytoleave。Thedoctorwishesto—\"AsshespokeshelookedacrossatStone,whostoodoppositeherinthelittlegroup。Hefailedtocatchbothherwordandhereye,hisgaze,passingoverhershoulder,wasrivetedontheburglar。
\"Somethingiswrong,\"heannouncedandpushedpastBarbara。\"Letmeinsidethecage,\"hedirectedasthedeputymarshalkeptthegateclosedathisapproach。\"Yourprisonerappearsill。\"
Oneglanceattheburglarprovedthetruthofthephysician’sstatementandthegatewashastilyopened。Stonebentovertheman,whosespasmodicbreathingcouldbehearddistinctlythroughthecourtroom,thenhisgazeshiftedtotheotheroccupantsofthecage。
\"Themanmusthaveair,\"hedeclared。\"Youraidhere。\"LookinguphiseyesmetClymer’s,andthelattercameswiftlyintothecage,followedbyRochester,andthedeputymarshalslammedthedoorshutbehindthem。
\"Stepoutthisway,\"hesaid,asClymeraidedthephysicianinliftingtheburglar,andheledthemintotheante—roomwhenceprisonersweretakenintothecage。
Stretchinghisburdenonthefloor,Stonetoreopentheman’sshirtandfelthisheart,whileClymer,spyingawatercooler,spedacrosstheroomandreturnedimmediatelywithabrimmingglass。
\"Here’swater,\"hesaid,butStonerefusedtheprofferedglass。
\"Nouse,\"heannounced。\"Themanisdead。\"
\"Dead!\"echoedthedeputymarshal。\"Well,I’llbe—say,doctor,\"
butStonehaddartedoutoftheroom,andheturnedopen—mouthedtoClymer。\"Ifitwasn’tDoctorStoneIwouldsayhewascrazy,\"hedeclared。
\"Tut!Feeltheman’sheartandconvinceyourself,\"suggestedClymertartly,andthedeputymarshal,droppingononeknee,didso。
Detectingnoheart—beat,theofficerpassedhishandoverthedeadman’sunshavenchinandacrosshisforehead,brushingbacktheunkempthair。Underhisnonetoogentletouchthewigslippedback,revealingtohisastonishedgazeaheadofshortcropped,redhair。
Clymer,whohadfollowedthedeputymarshal’smovementswithinterest,gaveashoutwhichwasechoedbyRochesterandDr。Stone,whoreturnedatthatmoment。
\"GoodGod!\"gaspedClymer,shakenoutofhisaccustomedcalm。
\"JimmieTurnbull!\"
Thedeputymarshaleyedthestartledmen。
\"Youdon’tmean—\"hestammered,andpaused。
ForanswerDr。Stonestraightenedthedeadmanandremovedthewig。
\"JamesTurnbull,\"hesaidgravely,andturning,addressedRochester,whohaddroppeddownonthenearestchair。\"CashieroftheMetropolisTrustCompany,Rochester,andyourroommate,masqueradingasaburglar。\"
CHAPTERII
THEGAMEOFCONSEQUENCES
R0ChesterdidnotappeartohearDr。Stone’swords。Witheyeshalfstartingfromtheirsocketshesatstaringatthedeadman,completelyobliviousoftheothers’presence。Afterwatchinghimforamomentthephysicianturnedbrisklytothedazeddeputymarshal。
\"Summonthecoroner,\"hedirected。\"Wecannotmovethebodyuntilhecomes。\"
Hiscurttonebroughttheofficial’switsbackwithajumpandhemadefortheexit,onlytobestoppedatthethresholdbyasandy—hairedmanjustenteringtheroom。
Atthewordcoroner,Rochesterraisedhimselffromhisbentattitudeandbrushedhishandacrosshiseyes。
\"Noneedforacoronertodiagnosethecase,\"heobjected。\"PoorTurnbullalwayssaidhewouldgoofflikethat。\"
Stonemovednearer。\"Likethat?\"hequestioned,pointingtothestillfigure。\"Explainyourself,Rochester。DidTurnbullexpecttodiehereinthismanner?\"
\"No—no—certainlynot。\"Thelawyermoistenedhisdrylips。\"Butwhenamanhasanginapectorisheknowstheendmaycomeatanymomentandinanyplace。Turnbullmadenosecretofsufferingfromthatdisease。\"RochesterturnedtowardClymer。\"Youknewit。\"
BenjaminClymer,whohadbeengazingalternatelyatthedeadmanandvaguelyabouttheroom,lookedstartledattheabruptquestion。
\"IknewTurnbullhadbadattacksoftheheart;weallknewitatthebank,\"hestated。\"ButIunderstoodthediseasehadrespondedtotreatment。\"
\"Thereisnocureforanginapectoris,\"declaredRochester。
\"Nopermanentcure,\"amendedStone,andwouldhaveaddedmore,butRochesterstoppedhim。
\"NowthatyouknowTurnbulldiedofanginapectoristhereisnonecessityofsendingforthecoroner,\"Rochesterspokeinhaste,hiswordstumblingovereachother。\"Iwillgoatonceandcommunicatewithanundertaker。\"Butbeforehecouldrisefromhischairthesandy—hairedman,whohadconductedawhisperedconversationwiththedeputymarshal,advancedtowardthegroup。
\"Justamoment,gentlemen,\"hesaid,andturnedbackalapelofhiscoatanddisplayedametalbadge。\"IamFergusonoftheCentralOffice。Doyouknowthedeceased?\"
\"Hewasmyintimatefriend,\"announcedRochesterbeforehiscompanionscouldreplytothedetective’squestion,whichwasaddressedtoall。\"Mr。Clymer,here,cantellyouthatJimmieTurnbull,cashierofhisbank,waswellknowninfinancialandsocialWashington。\"
\"Howcamehehereinthisfix?\"askedFergusonwithmoreforcethangrammaticclarity。
\"Asuddenheartattack—anginapectoris,youknow,\"repliedRochesterglibly,\"withfatalresults。\"
\"Iwasn’talludingtowhatkilledhim,\"Fergusonexplained。\"ButwhywasthecashieroftheMetropolisTrustCompany,\"helookedquestioninglyatClymerwhomheknewquitewellbysight,\"andasocialhigh—light,deckedoutintheseclothesandawig,too?\"
leaningdown,thebettertoexaminetheclothingonthedeadman。
\"HehadjustbeenheldfortheGrandJuryonachargeofhouse—breaking,\"volunteeredthedeputymarshal。\"Ireckonthatbroughtonhisheart—attack。\"
\"True,true,\"agreedRochester。\"Theexcitementwastoomuchforhim。\"
\"House—breaking\"ejaculatedthedetective。\"Dangeroussportforamansufferingwithanginapectoris,asidefromanythingelse。
Whopreferredcharges?\"
\"TheMissesMcIntyre,\"answeredthedeputymarshal,towhomthequestionwasaddressed。\"Liketointerviewthem?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"No,no!\"Rochesterwasonhisfeetinstantly。\"Thereisnonecessitytobringthetwinsouthere—it’stootragic!\"
\"Tragic?\"echoedFerguson。\"Why?\"
\"Why—why—Turnbullwasarrestedintheirhouse,\"Rochesterwascommencingtostutter。\"Hewastheirfriend—\"
\"Caughtburglarizing,heh?\"Ferguson’seyesglowed;thecasealreadywhettedhisremarkablykeeninquisitorialinstinctwhichhadgainedhimplaceandcertainfameintheWashingtonpoliceforce。
\"AretheMissesMcIntyrestillinthebuilding?\"
\"TheywereinthecourtroomjustbeforewebroughtTurnbull’sbodyhere,\"respondedthedeputymarshal。\"Iguesstheyarestillwaiting,eh,doctor?\"
Stone,thusappealedto,nodded。\"IagreewithMr。Rochester,\"hesaid,andthegravityofhismannerimpressedFerguson。\"ItisbetterformetobreakthenewsofMr。Turnbull’sdeathtotheyoungladiesbeforebringingthemhere。Therefore,withyourpermission,Ferguson—Hegotnofurther。
ThroughtheouterentranceoftheroomcameHelenMcIntyreandhersisterBarbara,conductedbythesamebowingpatrolmanwhohadusheredthemintothecourtroomanhourbefore。
\"MyGod!Toolate!\"stammeredRochesterunderhisbreath,andheturnedindesperationtoBenjaminClymer。Thebankpresident’sstateofmindattheextraordinarymasqueradeandsuddendeathofhispopularandtrustedcashierborderedonshockedhorror,whichhadmadehimapassivewitnessoftherapidlyshiftingscene。
Rochesterclutchedhisarminhisagitation。\"Getthetwinsoutofhere—dosomething,man!Don’tyouknowthatTurnbullwasinlovewith—\"
HisfervidwhisperpenetratedfurtherthanherealizedandoneoftheMcIntyretwinslookedinquiringlyintheirdirection。Clymer,morestartledthanhisdemeanorindicated,wonderedifshehadoverheardRochester’sejaculations,butwhateveractionthebankercontemplatedinresponsetothelawyer’sappealwascheckedbyascreamfromthegirlonhisright。WithashenfaceandtremblingfingershepointedtoTurnbull’sbodywhichsuddenlyconfrontedherasshewalkedforward。
\"Whoisit?\"shegasped。\"Babs,tellme!\"Andsheheldoutherhandimploringly。
HersistersteppedtohersideandbentoverTurnbull。Whenshelookedupherlipsaloneretainedtheircolor。
\"Hush!\"sheimplored,givinghersisteraslightshake。\"Hush!
ItisJimmieTurnbull。Canyounotseeforyourself,dear?\"
ItseemeddoubtfulifHelenheardher;withattentionwhollycenteredonthedeadmansheswayedonherfeet,andDr。Stone,thinkingshewasabouttofall,placedasupportingarmabouther。
\"DoyounotknowJimmie?\"askedhersister。\"Don’tstareso,dearest。\"Hertonewaspleading。
\"PerhapstheyoungladyhassomedifficultyinrecognizingMr。
Turnbullinhisdisguise,\"suggestedFerguson,whostoodsomewhatinthebackgroundbutcloselyobservingthescene。
\"Disguise!\"HelenraisedhereyesandFerguson,hardenedashehadbecometotragicscenes,feltathrobofpityashecaughtthepent—upagonyinhermuteappeal。
\"Yes,Miss,\"hesaidawkwardly。\"TheburglaryoucaughtinyourhousewasMr。Turnbullindisguise。
BarbaraMcIntyrereleasedhergraspofhersister’sarmandcollapsedonachair。Stone,stillsupportingHelen,felthermusclesgrowtautandaninstantlatershesteppedbackfromhissideandstoodbyhersister。Asthetwogirlsfacedthecircleofmen,thelikenessbetweenthemwasextraordinary。Eachhadthesameslightgracefulfigure,equalheight;andfeatureforfeature,coloringmatchingcoloring,theywereidentical;theirgowns,even,werecutonsimilarlines,onlytheirhatsvariedinshapeandcolor。
\"DoIunderstand,gentlemen,\"Helenbegan,andhervoicegainedsteadinessassheproceeded,\"thattheburglarwhomOfficerO’RyanandIcaughtlurkinginourhousewasJamesTurnbull?\"
\"Hewas,\"answeredFerguson,andStone,asthetwinslookeddumblyathim,confirmedthedetective’sstatementwithabrief,\"Yes。\"
ThesilencethatensuedwasbrokenbyBarbararisingtoherfeet。
\"Jimmiewonhiswager,\"sheannounced。Hergazedidnotwaverbeforetheconcentratedregardofthemenfacingher。\"Hebrokeintoourhouse—but,oh,howcanIpaymydebttohimnowthatheisdead!\"
\"Hush!\"Helenlaidacautioninghandonhersister’sarmasthelatter’svoicegainedinshrillness,theshrillnessofapproachinghysteria。
\"Iamallright,Helen。\"Barbarawavedherawayimpatiently。
\"WhatcausedJimmie’sdeath?\"
\"Anginapectoris,\"declaredRochester。\"Toomuchexcitementbroughtonafatalattack。\"Barbaranoddeddazedly。\"Iknewhehadhearttrouble,but—\"ShesteppedtowardTurnbullandhervoicequiveredwithfeeling。\"Don’tleaveJimmielyingthere;takehimtohisroom,doctor,\"turningentreatinglytoStone。
Thephysicianlookedathercompassionately。\"Iwill,justassoonasthecoronerviewsthebody,\"hepromised。\"Butcomeawaynow,Babs;thisisnoplaceforyouandHelen。\"Hesignedtothedeputymarshaltoopenthedoorashewalkedacrosstheroom,Barbarakeepingstepwithhim,andhersisterfollowingintheirwake。
AtthedoorBarbarapausedandlookedback。
\"Willtherebeaninquest?\"sheasked。
\"That’sforthecoronertodecide,\"respondedFerguson。\"AslongasMr。Turnbullenteredyourhouseonawageranddiedfromanattackofanginapectoristheinquestislikelytobeamereformality。Ah,hereisthecoronernow,\"asamanpausedinthedoorway。
HelenMcIntyremovedbackfromthedoortomakeroomforCoronerPenfield。Havinghadoccasiontoattendcourtthatmorning,hewaspassingthedoorwhenattractedbythegroupjustinsidetheroom。CourteouslyacknowledgingHelen’sact,Penfieldsteppedbrisklyacrossthethresholdandstoppedabruptlyoncatchingsightofthelonelyfigureonthefloor。
\"Won’tyouholdanautopsy,Ferguson?\"askedClymer,breakinghislongsilence。
\"No,sir,weneverdowhenthecauseofdeathisapparent,\"thedetectivebowedtoCoronerPenfield。\"Isn’tthatso,Coroner?\"
Penfieldnodded。\"Unlesstheconditionofthebodyindicatesfoulplayortherelativesspeciallyrequestit,wedonotperformautopsies,\"heanswered。\"Whathashappenedhere?\"andhegazedaboutwithquickenedinterest。
\"Mr。Turnbull,whomasqueradedasaburglaronawagerwithMissMcIntyrediedsuddenlyfromanginapectoris,\"explainedthedeputymarshal。
\"Justacaseofdeathfromnaturalcauses,\"brokeinRochester。
\"PleasewriteoutapermitformetoremoveTurnbull’sbody,Dr。
Penfield。\"
HelenMcIntyretookastepforward。Hereyes,twicetheiraccustomedsize,shonebrightly,incontrasttoherdeadwhiteface。Carefullyavoidinghersister’sglancesheaddressedthecoroner。
\"Imustinsist,\"shebeganandstoppedtocontrolhervoice。\"AsMr。Turnbull’sfiancee,I—\"shefalteredagain。\"Idemandthatanautopsybeheldtodeterminethecauseofhisdeath。\"
CHAPTERIII
THEROOMWITHTHESEVENDOORS
Mrs。Brewsterregardedhersurroundingswithinwardsatisfaction。
Itwouldhavetakenafarmorecaptiouscriticthantheprettywidowtofindfaultwiththelarge,high—ceilingedroominwhichshesat。ThehandsomecarvedVenetianfurniture,therichhangingsandvaluablepaintingsonthewallsgaveevidenceofColonelMcIntyre’sartistictasteandappreciationofthebeautiful。Mrs。
Brewsterhadneverfailed,duringhervisittotheMcIntyretwins,toexaminetherarecuriosinthecarvedcabinetsandthetapestriesonthewalls,butthatafternoon,withoneeyeontheclockandtheotheronherembroidery,shesatwaitingingrowingimpatiencefortheinterruptionsheanticipated。
Thehandsoftheclockhadpassedthehouroffivebeforethebuzzofadistantbellbroughthertoherfeet。HurryingtothewindowshepeepedbetweenthecurtainsintimetoseeastylishroadsterelectricglidedownthedrivewayleadingfromtheMcIntyreresidenceandstopatthecurb。AssheturnedtogobacktoherchairDr。
Stonewasusheredintothelibrarybythefootman。Mrs。Brewsterwelcomedhercousinwithfrankrelief。
\"Ihavewaitedsoimpatientlyforyou,\"sheconfessed,makingroomforhimtositonthesofabyherside。
\"Iwasdetained,Margaret。\"Stone’svoicewasnotover—cordial;
threeimperativetelephonecallsfromher,comingatamomentwhenhehadbeenengagedwithaseriouscaseinhisoffice,hadprovokedhim。\"Doyouwishtoseemeprofessionally?\"
\"Indeed,Idon’t。\"Shelaughedfrankly。\"Iamthepictureofhealth。\"
Stone,observingherfinecoloringandcleareyes,silentlyagreedwithher。Thewidowmadeacharmingpictureinhermodishtea—gown,andthephysician,watchingherwithanappraisingeye,acknowledgedthebeautywhichhadcaptivatedallWashington。Mrs。Brewsterhadcarriedherhonorstactfully,afactwhichhadgainedherpopularityevenamongthedowagersandmatch—makingmotherswhotakeanactivepartinWashington’ssocialseason。
\"Then,Margaret,whatdoyouwishtoseemeabout?\"Stoneasked,afterwaitingwithoutresultforhertocontinuespeaking。
Shelaughedsoftly。\"Youarethemostpracticalofmen,\"shesaid。
\"Itwouldnothavebeensodifficulttofindacompanionanxioustospendthewholeafternoonwithmeformysakealone。\"
\"ColonelMcIntyre,forinstance?\"heteased,andlaughedamusedlyatherheightenedcolor。\"Haveacare,Margaret;McIntyre’sflirtationsareallverywell,butheisthetypeofmantobedeadlyinearnestwhenoncehefallsinlove。\"
\"Thanksforyourwarning,\"Mrs。Brewstersmiled,thengrewserious。
\"IsentforyoutoaskaboutJimmieTurnbull’sdeaththismorning。
Barbaratoldmeyouaccompaniedthemtothepolicecourt。\"
\"Yes。Whyweren’tyouwiththegirls?\"
\"BecauseIwastoldnothingoftheirtriptothe,policecourtuntiltheyhadreturned,\"shereplied。\"Howhorriblytragicthewholeaffairis!\"Andashivershecouldnotsuppresscreptdownherspine。
\"Itis,\"agreedStone。\"WhatpossessedJimmieTurnbulltoplaysomadatrick?\"
\"HiswagerwithBarbara。\"
Stoneleanedalittlenearer。\"Haveyoulearnedthenatureofthatwager?\"heasked,loweringhisvoice。
\"No。Babswasinsohystericalaconditionwhenshereturnedfromthepolicecourtthatshegaveaveryincoherentaccountofthewholeaffair,andshehaskeptherroomeversinceluncheon,\"
explainedMrs。Brewster。
Stonelookedpuzzled。\"IunderstoodthatJimmiewasattentivetoHelenMcIntyreandnottoBarbara,\"hesaid。\"Butuponmyword,BarbaraappearedmoreovercomebyJimmie’sdeaththanHelen。\"
Mrs。Brewsterdidnotreplyatonce;instead,sheglancedcarefullyaround。TheroomwasgenerallytherallyingplaceoftheMcIntyres。
Itstretchedacrossalmosttheentirewidthofthehouse;thediamond—panedandrecessedwindowsgaveitamedievalairinkeepingwithitsantiquefurniture,andthesevendoorsopeningfromitled,respectively,tothelargediningroombeyond,amorningroom,billiardroom,thefrontandbackhalls,andtheItalianloggiawhichover—lookedthestretchofgroundbetweentheMcIntyreresidenceanditsneighboronthenorth。Apparently,sheandDr。
Stonehadtheroomtothemselves。
\"Icannotansweryourquestionwithpositiveness,\"shestated。
\"Frankly,Jimmieappearedimpartialinhisattentionstothetwins。
Whenhewasn’twithBarbarahewaswithHelen,andviceversa。\"
Stonegazedatherinsomeperplexity。\"AreyouawarethatHelenstatedatthepolicecourtthismorningthatshewasTurnbull’sfiancee?\"
\"What!\"Mrs。Brewsteractuallybouncedinherseat。\"You—youastoundme!\"
\"Iwasabitsurprisedmyself,\"acknowledgedthephysician。\"I
thoughtRochester—however,thatisneitherherenorthere。HelennotonlyannouncedshewasJimmie’sfianceebutassuchdemandedthatapost—mortemexaminationbeheldtodeterminethecauseofhisdeath。\"
Mrs。Brewster’sprettycolorfadedandtheglancesheturnedonhercousinwassharp。\"WhyshouldHelensuspectfoulplay?\"shedemanded。
\"Forthatiswhatherrequesthinted。\"
\"True。\"Stonepulledhisbeardabsentmindedly。\"Ah,hereisColonelMcIntyre,\"heexclaimedastheportieresbeforethehalldoorpartedandatallmanstrodeintothelibrary。
McIntyrewasafavoritewiththeoldphysician,andhewelcomedhisarrivalwithwarmth。ExchangingawordofgreetingwithMrs。
Brewster,McIntyredrewupachairanddroppedintoit。
\"Icalledatyouroffice,doctor,\"hesaid。\"WentthereatonceonlearningtheshockingnewsaboutpoorTurnbull。Whyintheworlddidn’theannouncewhohewaswhenmydaughterhadhimarrestedasaburglar?Hemusthaverealizedthatprolongedexcitementwasbadforhisweakheart。\"
Mrs。Brewster,whohadsettledherselfmorecomfortablyinhercornerofthesofaonMcIntyre’sarrival,answeredhisremark。
\"IonlyknewJimmiesuperficially,\"shesaid,\"buthehadonedistinguishingtraitpatenttoall,hisinordinatefondnessforpracticaljokes。Probablythepredicamenthefoundhimselfinwashighlytohistaste—untilhisheartfailed。\"
Hervoice,slightlyraised,carriedacrosstheroomandreachedtheearsofatall,slendergirlwhohadstoodhesitatingonthethresholdofthediningworndooronbeholdingthegroupbythesofa。Allhesitationvanished,however,asthemeaningofMrs。
Brewster’sremarkdawnedonher,andshewalkedovertothesofa。
\"Youareveryunjust,Margaret,\"shestated,andatsoundofherlowtriantevoiceMcIntyrewhirledaroundandfrownedslightly。
\"Jimmiewasthinkingofthepredicamentofothers,notofhimself。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean,Helen?\"herfatherdemanded。
\"Why,howcouldJimmierevealhisidentityincourtwithoutinvolvingus?\"sheasked。\"Goodafternoon,doctor,\"recollectinghermanners,andherattentionthusdiverted,shemissedthesuddenquestioninglookwhichMrs。Brewsterandherfatherexchanged。\"No,\"
shecontinued,\"Jimmiesacrificedhimselfforothers。\"
\"Bybecomingaburglar。\"McIntyrelaughedshortly。\"Don’ttalkarrantnonsense,Helen。\"
Thegirlflushedathistone,andDr。Stone,aninterestedonlooker,marveledatthefleetingflashofdisdainwhichlightedherdarkeyes。Stone’sinterestgrew。TheMcIntyrefamilyhadalwaysbeenparticularlycongenial,andthedevotionofColonelMcIntyre(leftawidowerwhenthetwinswereinshortfrocks)tohisdaughtershadbeencommentedonfrequentlybytheirwidecircleoffriendsinWashingtonandbyacquaintancesmadeintheirtravelsabroad。
ColonelMcIntyrehadmarriedwhenquiteayoungman。Frugalityandindustryandabrilliantmindhadreapedtheirreward,and,wiserthanthemajorityofAmericans,heretiredearlyfrombusinessanddevotedhimselftoalifeofleisureandtheeducationofhisdaughters。TheirdebutthepreviousautumnhadbeenoneofthesocialeventsoftheWashingtonseason,andtheinstantpopularitythegirlshadattainedprovedasourceofpridetoColonelMcIntyre。
Hischiefpleasureconsistedingratifyingtheireverywhim,andDr。Stone,knowingthefamilyashedid,wonderedatthefaintlydiscernibleairofconstraintinthegirl’smanner。Usuallyfranktoasometimesembarrassingdegree,sheappearedtosomedisadvantageasshesatgazingmoodilyatthetipsofherpatent—leatherpumps。
Dr。Stone’sattentionshiftedtoColonelMcIntyreandlastlytotheprettywidowathiselbow。HadDameRumorspokentrulyinthereport,widelycirculated,thatthecolonelhadfallenavictimtothecharmsofMargaretBrewster,hisdaughters’guest?Ifso,itmightaccountfortheyounggirl’smanner—howeverdevotedMcIntyre’sdaughtersmightbetoMrs。Brewsterasafriendandcompanion,theymightresenthavingsoyoungawomanfortheirstep—mother。
Notreceivinganyreplytohisremarks,McIntyrewasabouttoaddresshisdaughteragainwhenshespoke。
\"Jimmiewillbejustified,\"shedeclaredstoutly。\"Hasthecoronerheldtheautopsyyet,Dr。Stone?\"
\"Autopsy!\"McIntyrespokewithsharpabruptness。\"IthoughtitwasclearlyestablishedthatJimmiediedfromanginapectoris?\"
\"Itissobelieved,\"respondedStone。Hismystificationwasgrowing;
hadnotHeleninformedherfatherofthescenewhichhadtranspiredatthepolicecourt,andofherrequesttothecoroner?\"I
understandthepost—mortemexaminationwillbemadethisafternoon,Helen。\"
Aheavypaperknife,nicelybalancedbetweenMcIntyre’swellmanicuredfingers,droppedtothefloorasastepsoundedbehindhimandthebutler,Grimes,stoppedbyhisside。
\"Mr。Rochesterjusttelephonedthathispartner,Mr。HarryKent,isoutoftown,Miss\"—bowingtothesilentgirl。Grimesalwayscontentedhimselfwithaddressinghis\"youngladies\"bythesimpleprefix\"Miss,\"andneveraddedtheirgivennames,because,asheexpressedit,\"themtwinsarealikeastwopeas,andwhichiswhich,Idunno。\"ConsideringhimselfoneofthefamilyfromhislongservicewithColonelMcIntyre,hekeptawatchfuleyeonthetwins,buttheirpranksinchildhoodhadoftenexasperatedhimintogivingnotice,whichhegenerallyfounditconvenienttoforgetwhenthefirstofanewmonthcamearound。
\"Mr。Kentwillbebackto—morrow,\"addedthebutler,assilencefollowedthedeliveryofhismessage。\"Mr。Rochesterwishestoknowifhecantransactanybusinessforyou。\"
\"Pleasethankhimandsayno。\"Thegirl’scolorroseasshecaughtherfather’sdisapprovinglook。Thecolonelwaiteduntilthebutlerhaddisappearedbeforeaddressingher。
\"WhydidyousendforHarryKent?\"hequestioned。\"YouknowIdonotapproveofhisattentionstoBarbara。Rochesteriswellenough—\"
\"SpeakingofRochester\"—Mrs。Brewstersawthegatheringstormcloudsinthegirl’sexpressiveeyes,andbrokehastilyintotheconversation。\"Iseebythepaper,CousinAmos\"—sheturnedsoastofaceDr。Stone—\"thatMr。RochesterdeclaredpositivelythatJimmieTurnbulldiedfromanginapectoris。\"
\"What’sPhilip’sopinionworth?\"Theyounggirlsmileddisdainfully。
\"PhilipseemstothinkthathavingsharedanapartmentwithJimmie,giveshimintimateknowledgeofJimmie’shealth。Philipisnotamedicalman。\"
\"No,\"acknowledgedherfather。\"ButhereisamedicalmanwhowasonthespotwhenJimmiedied。What’syouropinion,Stone?\"
Stone,suddenlyconsciousofthekeenattentionofhiscompanions,spokeslowlyaswashiswontwhenmakingaseriousstatement。
\"Rochester’scontentionthatJimmiediedfromanginapectoriswouldseemborneoutbywhattranspired,\"hesaid。\"UndoubtedlyJimmiefeltanattackcomingonandusedthecustomaryremedytorelieveit—\"
\"Andwhatwasthatremedy?\"questionedMrs。Brewsterswiftly。
\"Amy1nitrite。\"Stonespokewithdecision。\"Icoulddetectitspresencebythefruity,pleasantodorwhichalwaysaccompaniesthedrug’suse。\"
\"Ah!\"TheexclamationslippedfromMrs。Brewster。\"Isthedrugadministeredinwater?\"
\"No,itisinhaled—takecare,youhavedroppedyourhandkerchief。\"
Stonepulledhimselfupshortinhisspeech,andbentoverbuttheyounggirlwastooquickforhim,andstoopedfirsttopickupherhandkerchief。
AssheraisedherheadStonecaughtsightofthetinymoleunderthelobeofherleftear。ItwastheonemarkwhichdistinguishedBarbarafromhertwinsister。ColonelMcIntyrehadaddressedhisdaughterasHelen,andshehadnotundeceivedhim—Why?Theperplexedphysiciangaveuptheproblem。
\"Thedrug,\"hewentontoexplain,\"amylnitritecomesinpearlcapsulesandiscrushedinahandkerchiefandthefumesinhaled。\"
Mrs。Brewsterleanedforwardsuddenly。\"Wouldthatcausedeath?\"
sheasked。
Stoneshookhisheadindenial。\"Notthecustomarydoseofthreeminims,\"heanswered,andturning,foundthatBarbarahadstolenfromtheroom。