(Wednesday, September 12; evening)
When Vance finished speaking, there was a long silence. Markham, impressed by the other’s earnestness, sat in a brown study. His ideas had been shaken. The theory of Skeel’s guilt1, to which he had clung from the moment of the identification of the finger-prints, had, it must be admitted, not entirely2 satisfied him, although he had been able to suggest no alternative. Now Vance had categorically repudiated3 this theory and at the same time had advanced another which, despite its indefiniteness, had nevertheless taken into account all the physical points of the case; and Markham, at first antagonistic4, had found himself, almost against his will, becoming more and more sympathetic to this new point of view.
“Damn it, Vance!” he said. “I’m not in the least convinced by your theatrical5 theory. And yet, I feel a curious undercurrent of plausibility6 in your analyses. . . . I wonder——”
“Look here! Have you any one in mind as the protagonist9 of the drama you’ve outlined?”
“ ’Pon my word, I haven’t the slightest notion as to who killed the lady,” Vance assured him. “But if you are ever to find the murderer, you must look for a shrewd, superior man with nerves of iron, who was in imminent10 danger of being irremediably ruined by the girl—a man of inherent cruelty and vindictiveness11; a supreme12 egoist; a fatalist more or less; and—I’m inclined to believe—something of a madman.”
“Mad!”
“Oh, not a lunatic—just a madman, a perfectly13 normal, logical, calculating madman—same as you and I and Van here. Only, our hobbies are harmless, d’ ye see. This chap’s mania14 is outside your preposterously15 revered16 law. That’s why you’re after him. If his aberration17 were stamp-collecting, or golf, you wouldn’t give him a second thought. But his perfectly rational penchant18 for eliminating déclassées ladies who bothered him, fills you with horror: it’s not your hobby. Consequently, you have a hot yearning19 to flay20 him alive.”
“I’ll admit,” said Markham coolly, “that a homicidal mania is my idea of madness.”
“But he didn’t have a homicidal mania, Markham old thing. You miss all the fine distinctions in psychology21. This man was annoyed by a certain person, and set to work, masterfully and reasonably, to do away with the source of his annoyance22. And he did it with surpassin’ cleverness. To be sure, his act was a bit grisly. But when, if ever, you get your hands on him, you’ll be amazed to find how normal he is. And able, too—oh, able no end.”
“The only trouble with your ingenious deductions25 is that they don’t accord with the known circumstances of the case. And facts, my dear Vance, are still regarded by a few of us old-fashioned lawyers as more or less conclusive26.”
“Why this needless confession27 of your shortcomings?” inquired Vance whimsically. Then, after a moment: “Let me have the facts which appear to you antagonistic to my deductions.”
“Well, there are only four men of the type you describe who could have had any remote reason for murdering the Odell woman. Heath’s scouts28 went into her history pretty thoroughly29, and for over two years—that is, since her appearance in the ‘Follies’—the only personæ gratæ at her apartment have been Mannix, Doctor Lindquist, Pop Cleaver30, and, of course, Spotswoode. The Canary was a bit exclusive, it seems; and no other man got near enough to her even to be considered as a possible murderer.”
“It appears, then, that you have a complete quartet to draw on.” Vance’s tone was apathetic31. “What do you crave32—a regiment33?”
“No,” answered Markham patiently. “I crave only one logical possibility. But Mannix was through with the girl over a year ago; Cleaver and Spotswoode both have water-tight alibis34; and that leaves only Doctor Lindquist, whom I can’t exactly picture as a strangler and meretricious36 burglar, despite his irascibility. Moreover, he, too, has an alibi35; and it may be a genuine one.”
Vance wagged his head.
“There’s something positively37 pathetic about the childlike faith of the legal mind.”
“It does cling to rationality at times, doesn’t it?” observed Markham.
“My dear fellow!” Vance rebuked38 him. “The presumption39 implied in that remark is most immodest. If you could distinguish between rationality and irrationality40 you wouldn’t be a lawyer—you’d be a god. . . . No; you’re going at this thing the wrong way. The real factors in the case are not what you call the known circumstances, but the unknown quantities—the human x’s, so to speak—the personalities41, or natures, of your quartet.”
He lit a fresh cigarette, and lay back, closing his eyes.
“Tell me what you know of these four cavalieri serventi—you say Heath has turned in his report. Who were their mamas? What do they eat for breakfast? Are they susceptible42 to poison-ivy? . . . Let’s have Spotswoode’s dossier first. Do you know anything about him?”
“In a general way,” returned Markham. “Old Puritan stock, I believe—governors, burgomasters, a few successful traders. All Yankee forebears—no intermixture. As a matter of fact, Spotswoode represents the oldest and hardiest43 of the New England aristocracy—although I imagine the so-called wine of the Puritans has become pretty well diluted44 by now. His affair with the Odell girl is hardly consonant45 with the older Puritans’ mortification46 of the flesh.”
“It’s wholly consonant, though, with the psychological reactions which are apt to follow the inhibitions produced by such mortification,” submitted Vance. “But what does he do? Whence cometh his lucre47?”
“His father manufactured automobile48 accessories, made a fortune at it, and left the business to him. He tinkers at it, but not seriously, though I believe he has designed a few appurtenances.”
“I do hope the hideous49 cut-glass olla for holding paper bouquets50 is not one of them. The man who invented that tonneau decoration is capable of any fiendish crime.”
“It couldn’t have been Spotswoode then,” said Markham tolerantly, “for he certainly can’t qualify as your potential strangler. We know the girl was alive after he left her, and that, during the time she was murdered, he was with Judge Redfern. . . . Even you, friend Vance, couldn’t manipulate those facts to the gentleman’s disadvantage.”
“On that, at least, we agree,” conceded Vance. “And that’s all you know of the gentleman?”
“I think that’s all, except that he married a well-to-do woman—a daughter of a Southern senator, I believe.”
“Doesn’t help any. . . . And now, let’s have Mannix’s history.”
Markham referred to a typewritten sheet of paper.
“Both parents immigrants—came over in the steerage. Original name Mannikiewicz, or something like that. Born on the East Side; learned the fur business in his father’s retail51 shop in Hester Street; worked for the Sanfrasco Cloak Company, and got to be factory foreman. Saved his money, and sweetened the pot by manipulating real estate; then went into the fur business for himself, and steadily52 worked up to his present opulent state. Public school, and night commercial college. Married in 1900 and divorced a year later. Lives a gay life—helps support the night clubs, but never gets drunk. I suppose he comes under the head of a spender and wine-opener. Has invested some money in musical comedies, and always has a stage beauty in tow. Runs to blondes.”
“Not very revealin’,” sighed Vance. “The city is full of Mannixes. . . . What did you garner53 in connection with our bon-ton medico?”
“The city has its quota54 of Doctor Lindquists, too, I fear. He was brought up in a small Middle-West bailiwick—French and Magyar extraction; took his M.D. from the Ohio State Medical, practised in Chicago—some shady business there, but never convicted; came to Albany and got in on the X-ray-machine craze; invented a breast-pump and formed a stock company—made a small fortune out of it; went to Vienna for two years——”
“—returned to New York, and opened a private sanitarium; charged outrageous56 prices, and thereby57 endeared himself to the nouveau riche. Has been at the endearing process ever since. Was defendant58 in a breach-of-promise suit some years ago, but the case was settled out of court. He’s not married.”
“He wouldn’t be,” commented Vance. “Such gentry59 never are. . . . Interestin’ summary, though—yes, decidedly interestin’. I’m tempted60 to develop a psychoneurosis and let Ambroise treat me. I do so want to know him better. And where—oh, where—was this egregious61 healer at the moment of our erring62 sister’s demise63? Ah, who can tell, my Markham: who knows—who knows?”
“In any event, I don’t think he was murdering any one.”
“You’re so prejudicial!” said Vance. “But let us move reluctantly on.—What’s your portrait parlé of Cleaver? The fact that he’s familiarly called Pop is helpful as a starter. You simply couldn’t imagine Beethoven being called Shorty, or Bismarck being referred to as Snookums.”
“Cleaver has been a politician most of his life—a Tammany Hall ‘regular.’ Was a ward-boss at twenty-five; ran a Democratic club of some kind in Brooklyn for a time; was an alderman for two terms, and practised general law. Was appointed Tax Commissioner64; left politics, and raised a small racing-stable. Later secured an illegal gambling65 concession66 at Saratoga; and now operates a pool-room in Jersey67 City. He’s what you might call a professional sport. Loves his liquor.”
“No marriages?”
“None on the records.—But see here: Cleaver’s out of it. He was ticketed in Boonton that night at half past eleven.”
“Is that, by any chance, the water-tight alibi you mentioned a moment ago?”
“In my primitive68 legal way I considered it as such.” Markham resented Vance’s question. “The summons was handed him at half past eleven: it’s so marked and dated. And Boonton is fifty miles from here—a good two hours’ motor ride. Therefore, Cleaver unquestionably left New York about half past nine; and even if he’d driven directly back, he couldn’t have reached here until long after the time the Medical Examiner declared the girl was dead. As a matter of routine, I investigated the summons, and even spoke by phone to the officer who issued it. It was genuine enough—I ought to know: I had it quashed.”
“Did this Boonton Dogberry know Cleaver by sight?”
“No, but he gave me an accurate description of him. And naturally he took the car’s number.”
Vance looked at Markham with open-eyed sorrow.
“My dear Markham—my very dear Markham—can’t you see that all you’ve actually proved is that a bucolic69 traffic Nemesis70 handed a speed-violation summons to a smooth-faced, middle-aged71, stout man who was driving Cleaver’s car near Boonton at half past eleven on the night of the murder? . . . And, my word! Isn’t that exactly the sort of alibi the old boy would arrange if he intended taking the lady’s life at midnight or thereabouts?”
“Come, come!” laughed Markham. “That’s a bit too far-fetched. You’d give every law-breaker credit for concocting73 schemes of the most diabolical74 cunning.”
“So I would,” admitted Vance apathetically75. “And—d’ye know?—I rather fancy that’s just the kind of schemes a law-breaker would concoct72, if he was planning a murder, and his own life was at stake. What really amazes me is the naïve assumption of you investigators76 that a murderer gives no intelligent thought whatever to his future safety. It’s rather touchin’, y’ know.”
“Well, you can take it from me, it was Cleaver himself who got that summons.”
“I dare say you’re right,” Vance conceded. “I merely suggested the possibility of deception78, don’t y’ know. The only point I really insist on is that the fascinatin’ Miss Odell was killed by a man of subtle and superior mentality79.”
“And I, in turn,” irritably80 rejoined Markham, “insist that the only men of that type who touched her life intimately enough to have had any reason to do it are Mannix, Cleaver, Lindquist, and Spotswoode. And I further insist that not one of them can be regarded as a promising81 possibility.”
“I fear I must contradict you, old dear,” said Vance serenely82. “They’re all possibilities—and one of them is guilty.”
Markham glared at him derisively83.
“Well, well! So the case is settled! Now, if you’ll but indicate which is the guilty one, I’ll arrest him at once, and return to my other duties.”
“You’re always in such haste,” Vance lamented84. “Why leap and run? The wisdom of the world’s philosophers is against it. Festina lente, says Cæsar; or, as Rufus has it, Festinatio tarda est. And the Koran says quite frankly85 that haste is of the Devil. Shakespeare was constantly belittling86 speed:
‘He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes’;
and
‘Wisely, and slow; they stumble that run fast.’
Then there was Molière—remember ‘Sganarelle’?—: ‘Le trop de promptitude à l’erreur nous expose.’ Chaucer also held similar views. ‘He hasteth wel,’ said he, ‘that wysely can abyde.’ Even God’s common people have embalmed87 the idea in numberless proverbs: ‘Good and quickly seldom meet’; and ‘Hasty men never want woe——’ ”
Markham rose with a gesture of impatience88.
The ironical91 aftermath of this remark was that Vance did tell a “bedtime story” that night; but he told it to me in the seclusion92 of his own library; and the gist93 of it was this:
“Heath is committed, body and soul, to a belief in Skeel’s guilt; and Markham is as effectively strangled with legal red tape as the poor Canary was strangled with powerful hands. Eheu, Van! There’s nothing left for me but to set forth94 to-morrow a cappella, like Gaboriau’s Monsieur Lecoq, and see what can be done in the noble cause of justice. I shall ignore both Heath and Markham, and become as a pelican95 of the wilderness96, an owl90 of the desert, a sparrow alone upon the housetop. . . . Really, y’ know, I’m no avenger97 of society, but I do detest98 an unsolved problem.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
repudiated
|
|
| v.（正式地）否认( repudiate的过去式和过去分词 )；拒绝接受；拒绝与…往来；拒不履行（法律义务） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
antagonistic
|
|
| adj.敌对的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
theatrical
|
|
| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
plausibility
|
|
| n. 似有道理, 能言善辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
scrutinized
|
|
| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
steadfastly
|
|
| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
protagonist
|
|
| n.(思想观念的)倡导者；主角，主人公 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
imminent
|
|
| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
vindictiveness
|
|
| 恶毒；怀恨在心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
supreme
|
|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
mania
|
|
| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
preposterously
|
|
| adv.反常地；荒谬地；荒谬可笑地；不合理地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
revered
|
|
| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
aberration
|
|
| n.离开正路，脱离常规，色差 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
penchant
|
|
| n.爱好，嗜好；（强烈的）倾向 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
yearning
|
|
| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
flay
|
|
| vt.剥皮；痛骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
psychology
|
|
| n.心理，心理学，心理状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
lapsed
|
|
| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
deductions
|
|
| 扣除( deduction的名词复数 )； 结论； 扣除的量； 推演 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
conclusive
|
|
| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
scouts
|
|
| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
cleaver
|
|
| n.切肉刀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
apathetic
|
|
| adj.冷漠的，无动于衷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
crave
|
|
| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
regiment
|
|
| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
alibis
|
|
| 某人在别处的证据( alibi的名词复数 )； 不在犯罪现场的证人； 借口； 托辞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
alibi
|
|
| n.某人当时不在犯罪现场的申辩或证明；借口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
meretricious
|
|
| adj.华而不实的，俗艳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
rebuked
|
|
| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
irrationality
|
|
| n. 不合理，无理性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
personalities
|
|
| n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
susceptible
|
|
| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hardiest
|
|
| 能吃苦耐劳的，坚强的( hardy的最高级 )； （植物等）耐寒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
diluted
|
|
| 无力的，冲淡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
consonant
|
|
| n.辅音；adj.[音]符合的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
mortification
|
|
| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
lucre
|
|
| n.金钱，财富 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
automobile
|
|
| n.汽车，机动车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
bouquets
|
|
| n.花束( bouquet的名词复数 )；（酒的）芳香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
retail
|
|
| v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
garner
|
|
| v.收藏；取得 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
quota
|
|
| n.（生产、进出口等的）配额，（移民的）限额 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
motif
|
|
| n.(图案的)基本花纹，(衣服的)花边；主题 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
outrageous
|
|
| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
thereby
|
|
| adv.因此，从而 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
defendant
|
|
| n.被告；adj.处于被告地位的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
gentry
|
|
| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
tempted
|
|
| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
egregious
|
|
| adj.非常的，过分的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
erring
|
|
| 做错事的，错误的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
demise
|
|
| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
commissioner
|
|
| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
gambling
|
|
| n.赌博；投机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
concession
|
|
| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
jersey
|
|
| n.运动衫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
primitive
|
|
| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
bucolic
|
|
| adj.乡村的；牧羊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
nemesis
|
|
| n.给以报应者，复仇者，难以对付的敌手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
middle-aged
|
|
| adj.中年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
concoct
|
|
| v.调合，制造 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
concocting
|
|
| v.将（尤指通常不相配合的）成分混合成某物( concoct的现在分词 )；调制；编造；捏造 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
diabolical
|
|
| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
apathetically
|
|
| adv.不露感情地；无动于衷地；不感兴趣地；冷淡地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
investigators
|
|
| n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
grunted
|
|
| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
deception
|
|
| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
mentality
|
|
| n.心理，思想，脑力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
irritably
|
|
| ad.易生气地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
promising
|
|
| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
serenely
|
|
| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
derisively
|
|
| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
lamented
|
|
| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
frankly
|
|
| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
belittling
|
|
| 使显得微小，轻视，贬低( belittle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
embalmed
|
|
| adj.用防腐药物保存（尸体）的v.保存（尸体）不腐( embalm的过去式和过去分词 )；使不被遗忘；使充满香气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
owl
|
|
| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
ironical
|
|
| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
seclusion
|
|
| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
gist
|
|
| n.要旨；梗概 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
pelican
|
|
| n.鹈鹕，伽蓝鸟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
wilderness
|
|
| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
avenger
|
|
| n. 复仇者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
detest
|
|
| vt.痛恨，憎恶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |