Part 41 (1/2)
”It was taken from my pocket-case, and another subst.i.tuted.
”Returning good for evil. Could you not see the difference in the needles?”
”There is not, necessarily, difference in needles. The subst.i.tute was the same size and shape, and I was not suspicious.”
”And what form does your suspicion take now?”
The great man became rather portentously solemn--he himself would have said ”becomingly grave.” ”My conviction is that Mr. Fellowes took my needle.”
Stafford fixed the other with his gaze. ”And killed himself with it?”
Mr. Mappin frowned. ”Of that I cannot be sure, of course.”
”Could you not tell by examining the body?”
”Not absolutely from a superficial examination.”
”You did not think a scientific examination necessary?”
”Yes, perhaps; but the official inquest is over, the expert a.n.a.lysis or examination is finished by the authorities, and the superficial proofs, while convincing enough to me, are not complete and final; and so, there you are.”
Stafford got and held his visitor's eyes, and with slow emphasis said: ”You think that Fellowes committed suicide with your needle?”
”No, I didn't say that.”
”Then I fear my intelligence must be failing rapidly. You said--”
”I said I was not sure that he killed himself. I am sure that he was killed by my needle; but I am not sure that he killed himself. Motive and all that kind of thing would come in there.”
”Ah--and all that kind of thing! Why should you discard motive for his killing himself?”
”I did not say I discarded motive, but I think Mr. Fellowes the last man in the world likely to kill himself.”
”Why, then, do you think he stole the needle?”
”Not to kill himself.”
Stafford turned his head away a little. ”Come now; this is too tall.
You are going pretty far in suggesting that Fellowes took your needle to kill some one else.”
”Perhaps. But motive might not be so far to seek.”
”What motive in this case?” Stafford's eyes narrowed a little with the inquiry.
”Well, a woman, perhaps.”
”You know of some one, who--”
”No. I am only a.s.suming from Mr. Fellowes' somewhat material nature that there must be a woman or so.”
”Or so--why 'or so?'” Stafford pressed him into a corner.