Part 39 (1/2)
”It is a very grave case.”
”I can see that--but I know who did what was done as well as who instigated it.”
”You were a witness of it, you mean?”
”Of course I mean nothing of the kind. I did not see the blow struck; but I was not asleep at the time; and the instant the alarm was given I was on the spot, and I can identify all concerned.”
”Who do you say struck the blow?”
”I did not say. But you know perfectly well the man you sent here to strike it. And so do I.”
”You actually charge me with being concerned in having my own brother a.s.sa.s.sinated?” he cried with well a.s.sumed indignation. ”It is infamous!”
”Infamous, of course--but true.”
”I mean such a charge, madam,” he declared, sternly. ”I will speak no further with you. You will of course remain here until the agents of the police arrive.”
”I have no wish to leave. I tell you I am innocent.”
”You at least are found here alone; you admit having fled from the city yesterday and returned surrept.i.tiously; you brought your own man here and sent my brother's away; you have a motive strong enough to account for all in your resentment of my brother's treatment of you; and you seek to put the foulness upon me with an elaborate story that you know the man who did this to have been brought here by me.”
”It has a very ugly look, I admit--but there is a flaw in it, none the less.”
”That is for others to investigate, madam. I will go to the room. It is locked. Where is the key?”
I took it from my pocket and handed it to him.
”Another significant fact,” he said, as we went out of the room and crossed the hall. ”I will go in alone.”
”No, I have a right to be present.”
”It is most unseemly; as unseemly as your smile. My poor Karl.” He spoke as if he were genuinely dismayed at the blow, sighed deeply, paused to brace himself for the task, and then entered.
The room was gloomy enough to make it impossible to see anything clearly; but I had arranged the sofa pillow on the couch and covered it with the rug.
He was really affected; although not in the way he intended me to believe. He crossed slowly to the couch and stood by it, as if lacking courage to turn back the rug.
I went to the window and drawing the curtain let the blind up and the sunlight in.
He was now very pale, and his hands twitched restlessly.
”You do not dare to look on the brother whose murder you planned,” I said, with cold distinctness.
”How dare you say that, at such a time, madam,” he cried fiercely; and taking the rug he turned it back gently.
I laughed.
The laugh so enraged him that he tore off the rug and swore a deep, heavy oath.