"Do you think that Lady Burville really did kill him, Allen?" she asked in a hesitating voice.
"Who can say?" answered Scott wearily. "I should be loath2 to accuse her on insufficient3 evidence. But look at the matter as it stands. Lady Burville fainted at the sight of Edermont; she asked me questions as to his whereabouts. On the night of the murder she visits him, as is proved by the finding of that brooch in the study. Immediately after passing her on the road I enter the house, to find Edermont dead. So far as we know, no one else was in the house on that night; so the inference must be drawn4 that this woman murdered your guardian5. Yes," said Allen thoughtfully, "I think there is a strong case to be made out against Lady Burville."
"But her motive6, Allen?" expostulated Dora. "She would not commit so terrible a crime without a motive."
"I cannot guess her motive, Dora. I am as ignorant of Lady Burville's connection with the dead man as--as--you are."
"But, Allen," said Dora, hesitating, "was not her name mentioned by Mr. Edermont during that conversation?"
"Yes. He asked me where she was staying, but he gave me no information about her. She has nothing to do with the bar to our marriage. At least, I do not think so."
"Then you are not certain?"
"No," said Allen in a low voice; "I cannot say that I am certain."
Dora looked at him impatiently, and a sigh escaped her. Evidently he was determined7 to give her no clue to the unravelling8 of these enigmas9, and what she discovered she would discover unaided. Nevertheless, she did not lose heart, but took up the burden which he had laid down.
"Why did you not tell me this before, Allen?"
"How could I?" he said vehemently10. "By visiting the Red House on that night I was in a dangerous position. If my movements had been known, I might have not only lost what little practice I have, but have been in danger of arrest. Even now I may be called upon to exonerate11 myself should this man Joad speak."
"Joad will not speak," said Dora quietly; "at all events, not for a week. As I said before, a great deal may be done in seven days. You must let me take away this brooch."
Allen looked at her with an air of astonishment12.
"Why do you wish to take away the brooch?" he asked.
"I'll answer that question later on. Lady Burville is not now at Hernwood Hall?"
"I believe not," replied Scott. "She returned to London, I think, shortly after the discovery of the murder of Edermont. To my mind, her sudden departure seems suspicious."
"On the face of it, I agree with you that it does," assented13 Dora. "But from what I have heard of the medical evidence, I doubt if Lady Burville killed Edermont--the murder was so brutal14."
"You are right there. The assassin must have had brutal instincts and a strong physique. Now, Lady Burville is small and delicate, not the sort of woman capable of using that heavy knobkerrie, or striking so terrible a blow. But then, Dora," added Allen, with a puzzled air, "if Lady Burville is innocent, who is guilty? There can't have been anyone else in the house on that night."
"Why not? Mr. Edermont wrote letters to other people besides yourself."
"Do you know the names of the persons to whom he wrote?"
"But, Dora," expostulated Allen, "why should Edermont convene16 a meeting of so many people at such a late hour?"
"I cannot guess. The explanation may be contained in the stolen manuscript. All my guardian's actions were wrapped up in mystery, and there may be more people connected with this matter than we dream of. But this is not the point. Can I take away this brooch?"
"As you please," said Allen indifferently; "except to exonerate myself in your eyes, I would not have betrayed Lady Burville, murderess as I believe her to be."
"You would win fifty thousand pounds by doing so."
"Blood money!" said Scott angrily. "No, Dora; I do not wish to build up my fortunes in that way, on the ruin of others. I do not say, should Joad denounce me, that I would keep silent. One must save one's own neck if possible; but otherwise I say nothing, I do nothing. All things thought about, or done, cannot gain me your hand; the rest may go."
"Well, my dear Allen," said Dora, pocketing the brooch, "you refuse to tell me this secret, and I have promised not to press you. But if I can't marry you, at least I can save you."
"By becoming Joad's wife?"
"No; by seeing Lady Burville."
He looked at her in surprise.
"My dear Dora," said he after a pause, "you have no reasonable excuse for seeking an interview with Lady Burville."
"You have just given me an excellent excuse, Allen--the pearl brooch."
"But Lady Burville will know that I have betrayed her."
"No doubt. But I will show her that you have done so to save your own life."
Allen thought.
"Force Lady Burville to confess her share in these mysteries."
"She will not do that," said Scott, shaking his head. "On the surface she is a frivolous19 little creature, but from what I saw of her I am inclined to believe that such frivolity20 conceals22 a strong will."
"No doubt, Allen. She must be a clever and merciless woman to plan and carry out so dexterous23 a crime. I do not see why you should save her life at the expense of your own. Leave me to deal with her, and I'll force her to speak."
"Would you have her arrested for the crime?"
"If Joad denounces you, I shall denounce her," said Dora quietly; "but there may be no necessity for such an extreme course. Wait until I see her."
"But you do not know where to find her."
And with this decision Dora took her leave. Here one may pause to reflect on the difference between these characters--a difference accentuated25 the more by the circumstances in which they found themselves entangled26. It cannot be denied that Dora bore herself the better of the two. Shrewd, cool and determined, she saw her way to a definite end, and strove steadily27 towards its attainment29. Allen, on the other hand, was dilatory30 and wavering. Knowing of a bar to his marriage, he should have informed the girl what this bar was, and have left her to judge of its insuperability. But this is exactly what he shrank from doing. He preferred to wait the turn of events, to refrain from action, until it was forced upon him. No; Allen Scott was not an heroic character. Dora knew this, despite her preference for him above all other men. Indeed, as is the way with good women, she loved him all the better for such weakness. However, as matters now were arranged, Allen sulked like a modern Achilles in his tent, and Dora went forth31 to take action.
With characteristic decision, she had determined upon her future course. To get the address of Lady Burville from Sir Harry, to call on Lady Burville in town, and to learn all she could of the events of the night from Lady Burville before leaving her house--this was the programme sketched32 out and adhered to by Dora Carew. As a first step towards the accomplishment33 of her purpose, she turned off the main road and took that which led to Hernwood Hall. She reached it before half-past six--an awkward hour for a call--and on inquiring for Sir Harry she was shown into the drawing-room. Here she was saluted34 by the man she came to see, and to whom she apologized for the lateness of her visit.
"You must excuse me, Sir Harry," said Dora calmly. "I am Miss Carew, of the Red House, and I leave for London to-morrow by an early train. Hence my calling on you at so late an hour. If you would be so kind as to give me the address of Lady Burville, I should esteem35 it a favour."
This abrupt17 speech was hardly a graceful36 one under the circumstances; but Dora was so taken up with the intrigue37 in which she found herself involved that she paid no attention to necessary social observances. Sir Harry, a dapper little man, mincing38 and polite, was not at all indisposed to grant this request, especially to so handsome a woman.
"Charmed to oblige you, Miss Carew," said he in a gallant39 fashion; "but--you will pardon me--may I ask why you wish for this address?"
"Certainly," replied Dora, prepared for the question; "I have picked up a pearl brooch on the road"--she was afraid to state the actual finding-place--"which I have reason to believe belongs to Lady Burville. I wish to return it to her in person."
"May I see the brooch, Miss Carew?"
"Certainly."
She handed it to him in silence. Sir Harry examined it, noted40 the initials, and returned it with a polite bow and the required information.
"The address of Lady Burville," said he amiably41, "is No. 22, Jersey42 Place, Mayfair. I am sure she will be greatly obliged to you for returning her brooch, which I recognise as one she usually wore. No doubt she dropped it on the road when out on her bicycle. But if it would save you trouble, Miss Carew, I should be happy to forward it myself."
"There is no necessity, thank you," replied Dora, rising to take her leave. "I am going up to town to-morrow, in any event, so I can easily return it myself. Good evening, Sir Harry. I thank you for your good nature in seeing me at this hour, and your kindness in giving me the address."
"Pray do not mention it, my dear Miss Carew. I am delighted to be of service to you."
During this conversation Sir Harry had discreetly43 refrained from remarking on the tragic44 end of Julian Edermont. He knew that Miss Carew was the ward28 of the dead man; but, afraid of a scene, and detesting45 trouble, he judged it wiser to ignore the fact. In the same way he gave the address of Lady Burville at once, as he was anxious to rid himself of his visitor. Sir Harry Hernwood, in a word, was a fool; and for that reason Dora was successful in her mission. A wiser man would have withheld46 the address of his late guest until better assured of the errand of the inquirer.
Dora thought of all these things as she rode homewards, and congratulated herself that Sir Harry had proved so foolish and weak. She had the address of Lady Burville, and could obtain the interview she sought. Now it remained to force the woman into confession47 of the crime by means of the pearl brooch. It would be difficult for Lady Burville to explain its presence in the study without inculpating48 herself in the murder.
"Mrs. Tice," said Dora that night when Joad had departed, "I am going to town to-morrow."
"Probably. If I do not, I shall send you a wire. But I want you to conceal21 from Mr. Joad that I have gone to London."
"I shall not tell him, Miss Carew, if you do not wish him to know. But why, if I may be so bold?"
"You will tell me on your return?" repeated Mrs. Tice, looking shrewdly at her companion. "I hope nothing is wrong, miss?"
"Everything is wrong. I am endeavouring to put everything right."
"That will be difficult, my dear young lady, in your present state of ignorance. You do not know all."
Dora laughed.
"I know more than you give me credit for, Mrs. Tice. Allen has told me something."
"Not the secret you know of," replied Dora. "I am still ignorant of the bar to our marriage."
"Mr. Allen could have said nothing very dreadful," was Mrs. Tice's reply; "we had a talk together on the evening he returned from London, and he told me everything then."
"No doubt," said Dora, who was pleased to stimulate56 the housekeeper's curiosity, "but he did not tell you some things, for the simple reason that 'some things' had not happened. Remember, Mrs. Tice, the night of Allen's return was the night of the murder."
"The murder!" repeated Mrs. Tice in a scared tone.
"Yes. Allen did not tell you what he knew about that," said Dora, and left the room.
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1
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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loath
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| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
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insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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8
unravelling
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| 解开，拆散，散开( unravel的现在分词 )； 阐明； 澄清； 弄清楚 | |
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enigmas
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| n.难于理解的问题、人、物、情况等，奥秘( enigma的名词复数 ) | |
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10
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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exonerate
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| v.免除责任，确定无罪 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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15
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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convene
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| v.集合，召集，召唤，聚集，集合 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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frivolity
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| n.轻松的乐事，兴高采烈；轻浮的举止 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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conceals
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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accentuated
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| v.重读( accentuate的过去式和过去分词 )；使突出；使恶化；加重音符号于 | |
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26
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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29
attainment
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| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
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dilatory
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| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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35
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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36
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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38
mincing
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| adj.矫饰的；v.切碎；切碎 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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45
detesting
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的现在分词 ) | |
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46
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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48
inculpating
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| v.显示（某人）有罪，使负罪( inculpate的现在分词 ) | |
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49
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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50
placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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52
blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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53
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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54
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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55
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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56
stimulate
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| vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋 | |
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