Part 44 (1/2)
Arrived at the agency, she was at once ushered into the presence of Mr. Barnes.
”Well,” said she, scarcely waiting to be seated, ”what have you found out?”
”I have learned everything,” said Mr. Barnes, without any show of feeling.
”You have? Well, go on. Why don't you tell me?” Madame was very impatient, but the detective was in no hurry.
”I have known what I have learned for over a week, Madame Medjora,”
said he slowly, ”and during that time I have hesitated to send for you. Even now, when you are here, I am not sure that I shall be doing the right thing to give you any information upon this subject, without first communicating with your husband.”
”Ah! I see,” said Madame, with a sneer, ”you think he would pay you better than I. You are mistaken. I have plenty of money. My own money.
What is your price?”
Mr. Barnes arose from his seat, in anger, but perfectly calm outwardly. As deferentially as though he were addressing a queen, he bowed and said:
”Madame, pardon me, but be kind enough to consider our interview at an end.”
”What do you mean? You wish me to go?”
”Precisely, Madame. That is my wish.”
”But you have not yet told me--ah! I see! I have made a mistake. But you will pardon me, Mr. Barnes. I did not know. How could I? I judged you by what I have heard of detectives. But you are different. I see that now, and I ask your forgiveness. You will forget my stupid words, will you?” She extended her hand cordially, and appeared truly regretful. Mr. Barnes yielded to her persuasive influence, and sat down again.
”Madame Medjora, I do not fully comprehend your motives in this matter. That is why I hesitate to speak.” Mr. Barnes paused a moment.
”Suppose you answer one or two questions. Will you?”
”Certainly! Ask me what you please.”
”Very well, Madame! You married Dr. Medjora after his trial for murder. At that time he had little money. Am I right, then, in concluding that you married him because you loved him?”
”I loved him with my whole soul!”
”And now, do you love him as well now?” Mr. Barnes scrutinized her closely, lest her words should belie her real feeling. But her answer was sincere.
”I love him more now than I ever did. He is all the world to me!”
”Ah! I see!” Mr. Barnes communed with himself for a brief moment, then suddenly asked: ”You have had no children, I believe?” Madame grew slightly paler, and answered in a low tone:
”None!”
”Just so! Now then, Madame, you of course recall the trial. It was more than hinted at that time that the Doctor had a child by his first wife. Did he ever tell you the truth about that?”
”Never!”
”Suppose that he had done so, and had confided to you the fact that rumor was right, and that there was a child. Understand I am only supposing a case! But if so, what would you have done?”
”I would have taken the little one, my husband's child, and I would have cherished it for its father's sake!”
This was a deliberate lie, but Madame uttered the words in tones of great sincerity. She was a very shrewd woman, and half-suspecting the object of the detective's questioning, did not hesitate to tell this falsehood in order to gain her own end. She succeeded, too, for after a few moments more, Mr. Barnes said: