Part 6 (2/2)
”I was making the rounds with Dionus,” answered Demetrio. ”We were just pa.s.sing the Temple when the watch-bell clanged. But who is this? Mitra! The master of the Temple himself!”
”No other,” replied Arus, ”and foully murdered. It is my duty to walk about the building steadily all night, because, as you know, there is an immense amount of wealth stored here.
Kallian Publico had rich patrons scholars, princes and wealthy collectors of rarities. Well, only a few minutes ago I tried the door which opens on the portico, and found it to be only bolted. The door is provided with a bolt, which works both from within or without, and a great lock which can be worked only from without. Only Kallian Publico had a key to that, the key which you see now hanging at his girdle.
”Naturally my suspicions were roused, for Kallian Publico always locks the door with the great lock when he closes the Temple; and I had not seen him return since he left earlier in the evening for his villa in the eastern suburbs of the city. I have a key that works the bolt; I entered and found the body lying as you see. I have not touched it.”
”So,” Demetrio's keen eyes swept the sombre stranger. ”And who is this?”
”The murderer, without doubt!” cried Arus. ”He came from that door yonder. He is a northern barbarian of some sort a Hyperborean or a Bossonian, perhaps.”
”Who are you?” asked Demetrio.
”I am Conan,” answered the barbarian. ”I am a Cimmerian.”
”Did you kill this man?”
The Cimmerian shook his head.
”Answer me!” snapped the questioner.
An angry glint rose in the moody blue eyes.48.
”I am no dog,” he replied resentfully.
”Oh, an insolent fellow!” sneered Demetrio's companion, a big man wearing the insignia of prefect of police. ”An independent cur! One of these citizens with rights, eh? I'll soon knock it out of him! Here, you! Come clean! Why did you murder ”
”Just a moment, Dionus,” ordered Demetrio curtly. ”Fellow, I am chief of the Inquisitorial Council of the city of Numalia. You had best tell me why you are here, and if you are not the murderer, prove it.”
The Cimmerian hesitated. He was not afraid, but slightly bewildered, as a barbarian always is when confronted by the evidence of civilized networks and systems, the workings of which are so baffling and mysterious to him.
”While he's thinking it over,” rapped Demetrio, turning to Arus, ”tell me did you see Kallian Publico leave the Temple this evening?”
”No, he's usually gone when I arrive to begin my sentry-go. But the great door was bolted and locked.”
”Could he have entered the building again without your having seen him?”
”Why, it's possible, but hardly probable. The Temple is large, and I walk clear around it in a few minutes. If he had returned from his villa, he would of course have come in his chariot, for it is a long way and who ever heard of Kallian Publico travelling otherwise? Even if I had been on the other side of the Temple, I'd have heard the wheels of the chariot on the cobblestones. And I've heard no such thing, nor seen any chariots, except those which always pa.s.s along the streets just at dusk.”
”And the door was locked earlier in the night?”
”I'll swear to it. I try all doors several times during the night. The door was locked on the outside until perhaps half an hour ago that was the last time I tried it, until I found it unlocked.”
”You heard no cries or struggles?”
”No. But that's not strange. The walls of the Temple are so thick, they're practically soundproof an effect increased by the heavy hangings.”
”Why go to all this trouble of questions and speculations?” complained the burly prefect. ”It's49.much easier to beat a confession out of a suspect. Here's our man, no doubt about it. Let's take him to the Court of Justice I'll get a statement if I have to smash his bones to a pulp.”
Demetrio looked at the barbarian.
”You understand what he said?” asked the Inquisitor. ”What have you to say?”
<script>