When on the witness stand he had contented8 himself with answering the questions put to him. He had evaded9 nothing, nor had he volunteered information. No one had questioned him as to his having gone to John Meredith’s bedroom instead of his own, and he had not mentioned the presence of a woman in the dead man’s room. Could it be that she was the “female” of Herman’s story, and was that “female” Anne Meredith, as the butler evidently believed? If so, what then did the parrot’s cry, “Anne—I’ve caught you—you devil!” signify? Had the parrot repeated Meredith’s death cry?
The lines about Curtis’ firm mouth tightened10. His creed11 in life was simple: to live straight, never forget a friend, and never go back on a woman. Some natures there are with a direct appeal to each other—deep calling to deep—and since his first meeting with Anne he had found his thoughts engrossed12 by her charming, piquant13 personality. The first impression had deepened, and then had come Meredith’s extraordinary plan for their marriage. Small wonder that Curtis had been unable to put Anne out of his thoughts.
The opening and shutting of the folding doors and the sound of men rising indicated the arrival of Mrs. Meredith, and Curtis moved his chair forward that he might not miss any of the proceedings14. Mrs. Meredith was conscious of the concentrated regard which her entrance attracted.
With a courteous15 inclination16 of her head to the coroner she took the chair he indicated and waited with outward serenity17 for her examination to commence.
“Are you a resident of Washington, madam?” asked Coroner Penfield, after the oath had been administered and the usual first questions answered.
“I make my winter home in Washington,” replied Mrs. Meredith. “I am a native New Yorker.”
“Your name before your marriage?”
“Anabelle Rutherford.” Mrs. Meredith settled back into a more comfortable position. “I married Marshall Meredith twenty-three years ago and came with him to Washington. After his death I spent a great deal of time traveling, but at the earnest solicitation18 of my brother-in-law I decided19 again to make Washington my permanent residence.”
“And did you make your home with him?”
“No. I have an apartment at the Dresden. My daughter Anne and I generally spend every holiday and week-end here at Ten Acres with my brother-in-law, however.” Mrs. Meredith was given to short sentences, loquacity20 not being one of her failings. “Mr. John Meredith was devoted21 to Anne and desired to have her with him as much as possible.”
“Mrs. Meredith,” Penfield laid down his pencil and looked keenly at the handsome widow. The black gown which she had donned was modish22 in cut and very becoming, but it occurred to the coroner that her beautiful diamond earrings23 were inappropriate for the occasion and the deep mourning of her attire24. “Did your brother-in-law appear in his usual spirits yesterday, or did he seem troubled in mind?”
“John appeared about as usual,” she replied, “except for his excitement over the prospective25 marriage of my daughter to Doctor Curtis. That absorbed his attention to the exclusion26 of all else.”
At mention of Curtis’ name Penfield glanced involuntarily toward the spot where the surgeon was sitting and Mrs. Meredith caught his look. Until then she had not observed Curtis and had not realized that he might be in the room. Mrs. Meredith smoothed the frown from her forehead and again fixed27 her gaze on Coroner Penfield.
“When did you last see John Meredith alive?” he asked.
“At dinner,” she answered. “He complained of a headache and went to his room soon afterward28.” Penfield paused and referred to his notes, before putting the next question. “Did you retire early, Mrs. Meredith?”
“No, it must have been about eleven-thirty or a quarter of twelve.” She twisted her lorgnette chain in and out of her fingers. “I read in bed for a little while and then fell asleep.”
“And did no sound disturb you? Did you sleep through the entire night?” asked Penfield. A certain eagerness crept into his voice and Mrs. Meredith caught its warning note in time to be on her guard.
“On the contrary, I was very restless,” she said. “My daughter Anne is a wretched sleeper29 and I heard her moving about a number of times during the night.”
Penfield looked at her steadily30 for a second. “And what was your daughter doing in the hall at the time John Meredith died?” he asked.
The crepe trimming on Mrs. Meredith’s gown betrayed her rapid breathing, otherwise she sat calmly facing them.
“Anne started to get a book from the library,” she explained, and her voice was admirably controlled. “I heard her walking through the boudoir which separates our bedrooms and went to remonstrate32 with her. When we found the hall in darkness she returned to her bedroom.”
Penfield raised his eyebrows33. “Without being aware that her uncle lay dead only a short distance down the hall?” he asked.
“The hall is winding34 and was also unlighted,” she reminded him quietly. “We were informed of Mr. Meredith’s death by Doctor McLane very early this morning.”
The coroner looked a trifle nonplused and drummed his fingers on the table in indecision for a second.
“Was Mr. Meredith on good terms with every member of his household?” he asked finally.
“To the best of my knowledge he was,” she stated, meeting his eyes with a level gaze. “I assure you, sir, I know of no reason for my brother-in-law’s rash and unhappy act.”
“Act, madam?”
“In committing suicide.” Again her fingers played with her lorgnette chain. “The tragedy has quite unnerved the entire household. Aside from the first shock, we grieve for the loss of a courtly gentleman and dear friend.”
Curtis would have given much to have been able to study Mrs. Meredith’s expression. He had followed every word of her testimony35 with keenest attention, his ears attuned36 to catch every inflection in her voice, every hesitation37, however momentary38, and he admitted defeat. She had shown admirable composure and nimbleness of wit. Her explanation of the scene in the hall with Anne, which he had overheard, was quick—too quick to convince him of its truth.
Penfield considered Mrs. Meredith in silence for a moment. “I think that is all just now, madam,” he said courteously39. “In case we should require you again at this hearing, kindly40 remain in your bedroom.”
With one last comprehensive look at the silent jury and the busy reporters, Mrs. Meredith wasted no time in leaving the room. Her place was taken in rapid succession by Jules, the chef, and Fernando, the Filipino, both of whom stated that they had retired41 early, slept soundly through the night and knew nothing of the death of John Meredith until awakened42 by Herman the next morning. Susanne, Mrs. Meredith’s maid, told of sharing her bedroom with Gretchen, the chambermaid, and of sound and dreamless slumber43 until also awakened by the agitated44 butler. Gretchen, the next witness, stuttered and stammered45 to such an extent that Penfield finally lost patience with her.
“There is no occasion for tears,” he said. “Just answer my question. Did you hear any unusual noise last night?”
Gretchen nodded her head dumbly; two big tears in her blue eyes obstructed46 her vision and she brushed them away with the hem31 of her white apron47. She was an extremely pretty girl and the foreman of the jury eyed her admiringly. She spoke48 fairly good English, considering her short stay in the country.
“What sort of a noise was it?” demanded Penfield as she remained silent. “When did you hear it and where?”
“Peoples—they talk under my window,” she stammered. “My bed it is—how you say?” with a graceful49 gesture, “it is close by. The woman she say: I will do it to-night.’ And the man he reply: ‘Don’t lose your nerve.’ Then, gentlemens, I hear,” her eyes were twice their usual size, “the north door shut and by and by feetsteps go softly, softly by my door. Then—” her voice trailed off.
“Well, what?” asked Penfield, after a second’s wait.
“Nothings, gentlemens; I go to sleep.” There was more than a hint of obstinacy50 in both tone and appearance, and Penfield showed his displeasure.
“Come, come!” he exclaimed. “You can tell us more than that. If you don’t, you will get into serious trouble with the police.”
“But, indeed, gentlemens, I go to sleep,” she protested, tears again welling to her eyes. “Nothing more do I know until Herman bang upon our door this morning and say the master is dead.”
Penfield eyed her steadily. “Did you recognize the woman’s voice?” he asked.
“Please, gentlemens, it was,” she gazed in fright about the room. “It was—” her eyes had strayed to David Curtis. She saw him facing her, his whole expression one of suspense51. Her voice ended in a gurgle.
“Go for some aromatic52 spirits of ammonia,” directed Penfield, as Doctor Mayo sprang to his assistance. “The girl will be all right in a minute; there, let in the air, the room is stuffy53. What think ye, doctor,” as Curtis approached. “A fake or faint?”
Curtis ran his fingers gently over the girl’s forehead and across her closed eyelids54, then listened to her rapid breathing.
“A case of excitement and fright combined,” he said, as smelling salts were thrust into his hand by Fernando, who had stuck his head inside the door at the sound of the commotion55 and, with the quickness which characterized all his movements, secured Anne’s bottle of salts which she had left on the hall mantelpiece some days before and forgotten. Curtis moved the salts back and forth56 before Gretchen, and in a few minutes her blue eyes opened, only to close the next instant as he bent57 over her.
“It is all right, Gretchen.” His calm voice held a soothing58 quality which brought confidence to overwrought nerves. “You have nothing to fear.”
“But the gentlemens—he say—” her voice was husky with emotion. “I don’t tell on my young Mees.”
Curtis’ heart contracted suddenly. Was Anne again to be dragged into the investigation59? Coroner Penfield, at his elbow, allowed no time for thought.
“You mean Miss Anne Meredith?” he demanded.
A nod was the only answer of which she was capable, but it satisfied Penfield. He exchanged a look with Mayo, then continued his examination as his assistant gave the girl a dose of aromatic spirits of ammonia.
“And the man,” he began. “Did you recognize his voice also?”
“No, gentlemens.” Gretchen straightened up and handed the empty glass to Mayo. “I tell everyting I know,” and she held out her hands in appeal. “Everyting.”
“You are excused,” exclaimed Penfield, and Gretchen, with a sidelong glance at Curtis, slid out of the witness chair and from the room as the surgeon went back to his seat by the fireplace.
Gretchen’s place was taken by Damason. His facial resemblance to his brother was marked, but whereas Fernando was thin and wiry, Damason was above medium height and thick-set. His testimony was brief and to the point. He corroborated60 Herman’s statement of having been aroused the night before by the butler and Gerald Armstrong.
“Mr. Armstrong got his car,” he went on to say. “And when he drove away I went back to bed.”
“Did you hear any one walking about the place, Damason?” questioned Penfield.
“No, sir.”
“That is all, thanks.” And at a sign from the coroner Damason rose and stepped toward the door with alacrity61, then halted and turned back.
“I forgot, please, sir,” he said, with a low bow. “This note has just come for you, sir.”
Penfield tore off the envelope and read the few lines penned on the note paper. Turning he addressed the jury.
“This is a note from Mr. Gerald Armstrong,” he began. “In it Mr. Armstrong states that,” he replaced his eyeglasses and read aloud, “‘The news of Mr. John Meredith’s tragic62 death has proved a great shock. I have just learned that the inquest is called for three o’clock. Unfortunately I have an engagement which I am unable to break and cannot be present. As you probably have been told, I left Ten Acres just before midnight, therefore know nothing of the distressing63 event which transpired64 there after my departure, and my testimony would not aid your investigation.’”
Penfield laid down the note without comment. “Mayo,” he said, “kindly request Miss Lucille Hull65 to step here.”
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1
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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convalescence
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| n.病后康复期 | |
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engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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6
rumored
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| adj.传说的，谣传的v.传闻( rumor的过去式和过去分词 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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7
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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9
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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piquant
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| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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17
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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solicitation
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| n.诱惑；揽货；恳切地要求；游说 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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loquacity
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| n.多话，饶舌 | |
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21
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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modish
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| adj.流行的，时髦的 | |
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earrings
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| n.耳环( earring的名词复数 )；耳坠子 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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25
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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31
hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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32
remonstrate
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| v.抗议，规劝 | |
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33
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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34
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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35
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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36
attuned
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| v.使协调( attune的过去式和过去分词 )；调音 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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41
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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42
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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43
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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44
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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45
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
obstructed
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| 阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止 | |
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47
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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48
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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49
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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50
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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51
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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52
aromatic
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| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
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53
stuffy
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| adj.不透气的，闷热的 | |
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54
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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55
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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56
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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57
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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58
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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59
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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60
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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61
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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62
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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64
transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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65
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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