How the next seven days passed Godfrey declares he is unable to tell, but at last that weary week came to an end, and once more he stood in the crowded Court. At first glance it looked, if such a thing were possible, as if more people had been squeezed into the building than on the previous occasion. The fashionable world was as well represented as before, while this time there were even more ladies present than had hitherto been the case. The cabman who had driven the pair to Burford Street was examined and repeated his former evidence. He was subjected to a severe cross-examination by Mr. Rolland, but his testimony15 remained unshaken. The police-constable, who had seen them together outside the house, also repeated his tale. He was quite certain, he assured the Court, that the woman in question was crying as he passed them. At the same time he was not sure whether or not the prisoner was speaking angrily to her. When he left the witness-box Victor Fensden took his place. He described the life in the studio before Godfrey left England, and repeated the story of the attempt he had made to induce him to break off his relations with the girl. When the prosecution16 had done with him Mr. Rolland took him in hand and inquired what reason he had for supposing that his client had ever felt any affection for the deceased woman.
“Because he himself told me so,” Fensden returned unblushingly. “I pointed17 out to him the absurdity18 of such a thing, and was at last successful in inducing him to accompany me abroad.”
“You parted where?”
“In Port Said. I went on to Palestine, while he returned to Naples.”
“En route to England?”
“I believe so.”
“On what day did you yourself reach London?”
“On the day of the murder.”
“When did you next see the prisoner?”
“He lunched with me at the Mahl Stick Club on the same day.”
“That will do,” said Mr. Rolland, somewhat to the surprise of the Court. “I have no further questions to ask you.”
It was at this point that the great sensation of the day occurred. When Fensden had taken his place once more, Detective-sergeant Gunson was called, and a tall, handsome man, with a short, brown beard entered the box. He stated that his name was Gunson, and that he was a member of the Scotland Yard detective force. Two days previous, accompanied by Detective-sergeant McVickers, he had paid a visit to the prisoner’s residence, Detwich Hall, in the county of Midlandshire. They had made a systematic19 search of the building, with the result that, hidden away behind a bookcase in the studio, they had discovered a long knife of Oriental workmanship and design. The blade was of razor-like sharpness, and was covered with certain dark stains. He found nothing else of an incriminating nature. Detective-sergeant McVickers was next called, who corroborated20 his companion’s evidence.
Dr. Bensford, an analytical21 chemist and lecturer at the Waterloo Hospital, stated that he was instructed by the Home Secretary to make an examination of the marks upon the knife in question, now produced, and had arrived at the conclusion that they were the stains of human blood. (Great sensation in Court.)
So overwhelming was the shock to Godfrey, that for a moment he neither heard nor saw anything. A ghastly faintness was stealing over him and the Court swam before his eyes. With a mighty22 effort, however, he pulled himself together and once more faced the Court. He looked at Sir Vivian and saw that the baronet’s face had suddenly become very pale.
“Good Heavens!” he thought to himself, “will he suspect me also?”
The analyst23 having left the box, Victor Fensden was recalled, and the knife handed to him. He took it in his daintily gloved hand and examined it carefully.
“Have you ever seen that knife before?” asked the prosecution.
Victor hesitated a moment before he replied.
“No,” he answered, as if with an effort.
“Think again,” said his examiner. “Remember that this is a court of justice, and it behooves24 you to speak the truth. Where did you see that knife before?”
Once more Victor hesitated. Then in a somewhat louder voice he said:
“In Egypt. In Cairo.”
“To whom does it belong?”
“To Mr. — I mean to the prisoner. I was with him when he purchased it.”
A greater sensation than ever was produced by this assertion. Godfrey leaned forward on the rail of the dock and scrutinized25 the witness calmly.
“Your Worship,” he said, addressing the magistrate, “with all due respect I should like to be allowed to say that I have never seen that knife in my life before.”
The prosecution having finished their case, Mr. Rolland addressed the Bench. He pointed out how entirely26 improbable it was that a gentleman of Mr. Henderson’s character and position would commit a murder of such a cowardly nature. He commented on the fact that it would have been impossible, had he even desired to do such a thing, for him to have committed the crime and have walked from Burford Street to his hotel in Piccadilly in the time counted from the moment he was seen by the police officer to the time of his arrival at his hotel. Moreover, he asked the magistrate to consider the question as to whether a man who had committed such a dastardly deed would have been likely to send the mutilated remains27 to himself as a wedding present. It was useless for him, however, to argue, the magistrate had already made up his mind, and Godfrey was therefore not surprised when he found himself committed to stand for his trial at the next Criminal Sessions, to be held in a month’s time. Bowing to the magistrate, he left the dock, entered the cab that was waiting for him in the yard, and was driven away to Holloway.
“It was the finding of that knife that did it,” said Mr. Codey reproachfully, when he next saw him. “Why on earth didn’t you tell me that it was hidden there?”
“Because I did not know it myself,” Godfrey replied. “When I told the magistrate that I had never seen it before, it was the truth. I did not buy a knife in Cairo, so how could I have brought one home with me?”
“But who could have placed it behind the bookcase, if you did not?” asked the lawyer.
“That is more than I can say,” said Godfrey simply.
“Look here, Mr. Henderson,” said Codey sharply, “I have met a good many unsuspicious men in my time, but I don’t think I have ever met one so unsuspicious as you are. I have a list of all the people in your house at the moment when that box arrived. Let us run it over. There was your mother, your sister, and your fianc??e, Miss Devereux. As our friend Burrell would say, they may be dismissed from the case without delay. Your butler and footman are old family servants, as are the housekeeper28, the cook, and the head parlour-maid. They may also be dismissed. The remainder of the household would be scarcely likely to possess a knife of that description, so we will dismiss them also. There remains only yourself and Mr. Fensden. You declare you are innocent, and we will presume that you are. Now, Mr. Fensden, by his evidence has placed you where you are. That is certain. You say that he lied as to the fact of your being in love with the woman who is dead, and also when he said that you purchased the knife in Cairo. You say that he came to stay with you on the day that the murder was discovered — why should he not have placed it behind the bookcase, in order that it should be another incriminating point against you?”
“I can not believe that he would do such a thing,” said Godfrey. “He would not be so base.”
“I am not so sure of it,” said the astute29 lawyer. “What is more, I made a curious discovery to-day. The man in question pretends to be your friend. He gives his evidence with reluctance30. Yet I noticed that when that knife was produced his face betrayed neither surprise nor emotion. Had he had your interests at heart, would he have been so callous31? Answer me that! Now you have my reasons for arguing that he knew where the knife was, and also the man who had placed it there.”
“The suspicions you suggest are too horrible,” said Godfrey, rising and pacing the cell. “What possible reason could he have for doing me such an injury?”
“One never knows. There are some men who hate the man who is supposed to be their best friend, either because he, the friend, has been successful in money-making, in love, or perhaps he presumes him to be happier than himself. You are rich; he is poor. You have been successful in your profession; he has been a failure. His hatred32, like hundreds, might have begun with jealousy33 and have terminated in this. I have known more unlikely things.”
“In that case what am I to do?”
“Leave it to me and to Burrell to arrange. If things were not going right, my experience teaches me that that astute gentleman would have shown signs of dissatisfaction before now. He has got his nose on the trail, you may be sure, and if I know anything about him, he will not leave it for a moment.”
“But do you think he will be able to prove my innocence34?” asked Godfrey.
“All in good time, my dear sir, all in good time,” said the lawyer. “With me for your lawyer (pardon the boast), Rolland for your counsel, Dick Horsden and Braithwaite with him, and Burrell for the ferret that is to make the rabbits bolt, you could not be better served. For my own part, I wouldn’t mind making you a bet — and as a rule I am not a man who gambles — that the last-named gentleman has already acquired sufficient information to secure your return to Detwich with an unblemished character.”
“Then do so by all means,” said Godfrey. “I will take it with the greatest pleasure in the world.”
“Very well then,” answered the lawyer. “I’ll tell you what we’ll do. I’ve a junior clerk who has the making of a man in him, but who is in consumption. The doctors tell me that, unless he is sent for a long sea voyage to the other side of the world, he will not live a year. I have promised to send him to the South Seas, and, if you like, this shall be our bet: If you get off scot-free, you pay all his expenses — something like five hundred pounds — and also give him five hundred pounds to go on with. If you don’t, then I pay. Will you agree to that?”
“With all the pleasure in the world,” Godfrey replied.
“Then it’s settled. And now I must be going. Good-bye.”
They shook hands, and then the lawyer took his departure, leaving Godfrey happier than he had been for some time past.
The month that separated the magistrate’s inquiry from the Sessions at the Old Bailey seemed to Godfrey like an eternity35. Day after day crept slowly by, with but little, if anything, to relieve the monotony. He took his daily exercise, kept his cell in spotless order, received visits from the lawyer, who came to report progress, and from Sir Vivian, who brought messages of hope and encouragement from the folk at home.
On one red-letter day he was informed that visitors had arrived to see him, and he was accordingly conducted to the room where he had on several occasions interviewed his lawyer. The warder opened the door and he entered, to be nearly overwhelmed by surprise. Standing36 by her father’s side, at the farther end of the room, and waiting to receive him, was no less a person than Molly herself. She ran forward and threw herself into his arms.
“Molly, Molly,” he faltered37, “what does this mean? Why are you here? You should not distress38 yourself like this.”
“I could not help it,” she answered. “I had to come, I could stay away from you no longer. You do not know how I have suffered. It seems as if a lifetime had elapsed since we parted. At last I managed to persuade papa to bring me up. My poor boy, how ill you look! How you must have suffered!”
“Never mind about that, dear,” said Godfrey. “If it all comes right in the end, we can afford to suffer a little. Now tell me of yourself; you don’t know how hungry I am for news.”
“No, don’t let us talk of myself,” she answered. “I want to talk about you and your affairs. Do you know that this morning I saw Mr. Codey, your lawyer, for the first time? He was introduced to me by papa.”
“And what did he say to you?” Godfrey inquired, with natural interest.
“I am afraid there is not much to tell,” said Molly. “When I asked him if he thought we should be able to prove your innocence, he said, ‘That’s a thing we shall have to see about; but I don’t mind going so far as to promise you, that, unless there’s anything else that I don’t know of, you and Mr. Henderson will eat your Christmas dinner together next year!’ I asked him and implored39 him to tell me more, but I could not get anything else out of him.”
Godfrey felt his heart beat more hopefully. It was something, indeed, to know that Codey took such a bright view of the case. Then Molly went on to give him the latest news of his mother and sister. The old lady, it appeared, was suffering a great deal on her dear boy’s account; but she firmly believed that in the end he would be acquitted40.
“It makes me so sad to see her,” said Molly. “As you may suppose, I spend the greater part of my time there now, and I think we help and comfort each other.”
“God bless you for your goodness to them, dear!” replied Godfrey. “I know what it must mean to them to have you with them.”
“And now, Molly,” said Sir Vivian, rising from his chair, “I am afraid we must go. We were only allowed a short time with you, and we must not exceed it. Good-bye, my boy, and may God bless you! Don’t be down-hearted; we’ll prove your innocence yet.”
“You still believe in me, Sir Vivian?” he asked.
“As firmly as ever,” the other answered. “I should not be here if I did not. And now, Molly, you must come along.”
Godfrey kissed his sweetheart, and wished her good-bye. When she had left the room, all the sunshine seemed to have gone out of it, and with a heavy heart he went back to the gloom of his prison life again.
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1
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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9
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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corroborated
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| v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的过去式 ) | |
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analytical
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| adj.分析的；用分析法的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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analyst
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| n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家 | |
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behooves
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| n.利益，好处( behoof的名词复数 )v.适宜( behoove的第三人称单数 ) | |
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scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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