Part 85 (2/2)
”Aye, it was,” responded Hutchinson, dryly.
”I thought Lady Joan was coming,” Miss Alicia said to Palliser.
”She will be here presently. She came down in our train, but not with us.”
”What--what is she coming for?” faltered Miss Alicia.
”Yes,” put in the duke, ”what, by the way, is she coming for?”
”I wrote and asked her to come,” was Palliser's reply. ”I have reason to believe she may be able to recall something of value to the inquiry which is being made.”
”That's interesting,” said his Grace, but with no air of partic.i.p.ating particularly. She doesn't like him, though, does she? Wouldn't do to put her on the jury.”
He did not wait for any reply, but turned to Mr. Palford.
”All this is delightfully portentous. Do you know it reminds me of a scene in one of those numerous plays where the wrong man has murdered somebody--or hasn't murdered somebody--and the whole company must be cross-examined because the curtain cannot be brought down until the right man is unmasked. Do let us come into this, Mr. Palford; what we know seems so inadequate.”
Mr. Palford and Mr. Grimby each felt that there lurked in this manner a possibility that they were being regarded lightly. All the objections to their situation loomed annoyingly large.
”It is, of course, an extraordinary story,” Mr. Palford said, ”but if we are not mistaken in our deductions, we may find ourselves involved in a cause celebre which will set all England talking.”
”I am not mistaken,” Palliser presented the comment with a short and dry laugh.
”Tha seems pretty c.o.c.k-sure!” Hutchinson thrust in.
”I am. No one knew Jem Temple Barbolm better than I did in the past.
We were intimate--enemies.” And he laughed again.
”Tha says tha'll swear th' chap tha saw through th' window was him?”
said Hutchinson.
”I'd swear it,” with composure.
The duke was reflecting. He was again tapping with his cane the gaiter covering his slender, s.h.i.+ning boot.
”If Mr. Temple Temple Barholm had remained here his actions would have seemed less suspicious?” he suggested.
It was Palliser who replied.
”Or if he hadn't whisked the other man away. He lost his head and played the fool.”
”He didn't lose his head, that chap. It's screwed on th' right way-- his head is,” grunted Hutchinson.
”The curious fellow has a number of friends,” the duke remarked to Palford and Grimby, in his impartial tone. ”I am hoping you are not thinking of cross-examining me. I have always been convinced that under cross-examination I could be induced to innocently give evidence condemnatory to both sides of any case whatever. But would you mind telling me what the exact evidence is so far? ”
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