Maybe it is.
Hey? Have you a theory? and the Coroner looked up suddenly.
Anything but! Theres no possible theory that will fit the facts.
Except the truth.
Yes, except the truth. But it will be long before we find that, Im afraid. It strikes me its at the bottom of an unusually deep well.
Well, youd better find it. Itd be a nice how dy do for you to fall down on this case!
Theres no falling down been done yet. And it may well be that the very fact of there being such strange and irreconcilable conditions shall prove a help rather than a hindrance.
And then, all being in readiness, the lifeless form of Miss Carrington, once the proud domineering autocrat, now laid low, was borne to a distant room, for the autopsy that might cast a further light on the mystery of her tragic death.
V
A MANS GLOVE
Inspector Brunt and the young detective, Hardy, were interviewing the members of the household in the library, and the task was not an easy one. The two girls were distinctly at odds, and Gray Haviland, whether authoritatively or not, persisted in assuming a major rôle.
It seems to me, Haviland said, that it is the most remarkable mystery that has ever occurred in the experience of you police people. Now, I think the wisest plan is to call in a big detective, no offence, Mr. Hardy, but I mean a noted fellow, like Stone, say, and let him get at the root of the crime.
I think, Gray, and Pauline looked very haughty, that any such suggestion would come better from me. I am now mistress of the place, and it is for me to say what we shall do.
I know it, and Haviland looked no whit abashed, but you know Carr Loria is equally in authority, even if he isnt here, and you see
I dont see that Carrs absence gives you any authority!
But it does, in a way. As Miss Lucys man of affairs, I ought to look out for the interests of her heirs, at least, for the absent one. Im sure Loria would want to do everything possible to find the murderer.
Has this nephew been notified yet? asked Inspector Brunt.
Yes, returned Pauline; weve telephoned a cablegram to the city to be sent to him in Egypt. But I dont know when he will get it, nor when well get a response.
Where is he?
His permanent address is Cairo, but he is off in the desert, or somewhere, so much that sometimes he is away from communication for weeks at a time. Still Ive sent it, thats all I can do.
What did you tell him?
I made it rather long and circumstantial. I told him of Aunt Lucys death, and that she was killed by a blow on the head by a burglar, which fractured her skull. I asked him if he would come home or if we should go there. You see, we were intending to sail for Egypt in February.
Who were?
Myself, my aunt, Miss Frayne and Mr. Haviland. Carrington Loria has been begging us to make the trip, and at last Aunt Lucy decided to go. Our passage is engaged, and all plans made.
And now ?
Now, I do not know. Everything is uncertain. But if the burglar can be found, and punished, I see no reason why I, at least, shouldnt go on and make the trip. The others must please themselves.
Pauline looked at Anita and at Haviland with a detached air, as if now they were no longer members of the household, and their plans did not concern her.
Not so Haviland. Sure Ill go, he cried; I fancy Carr will be mighty glad to keep me on in the same capacity I served Miss Carrington. Hell need a representative in this country. I doubt hell come over, theres no need, if I look after all business matters for him.
What does he do in Egypt? asked the Inspector, who was half engrossed looking over his memoranda, and really took slight interest in the absent heir.
Hes excavating wonderful temples and things, volunteered Anita, for Pauline and Gray were looking, amazed, at a man who came into the room. He was the detective who had been left in charge of the boudoir, and he carried a strange-looking object.
What is it? cried Pauline.
Its a black-jack. replied the detective. I found it, Inspector, just under the edge of the tassel trimmin of the lounge. The fellow slung it away, and it hid under the fringe, out of sight.
Gravely, Inspector Brunt took the weapon. It was rudely made, of black cloth, a mere bag, long and narrow, and filled with bird shot.
Thats the weapon! declared Brunt. A man could hit a blow with that thing that would break the skull without cutting the skin. Yes, there is no further doubt that Miss Carrington was murdered by a burglar. This is a burglars weapon; this it was that crushed the shell comb to fragments, and fractured the skull, leaving the body sitting upright, and unmutilated. Death was, of course, instantaneous.
But the jewels! said Detective Hardy, wonderingly; why
I dont know why! said Brunt, a little testily; that is for you detectives to find out. I have to go by what evidence I find. Can I find a broken skull and a black-jack in the same room and not deduce a burglarious assault that proved fatal? The thief may have been scared off or decided he didnt want the loot, but that doesnt affect the certainty that we have the weapon and therefore the case is a simple one. That burglar can be found, without a doubt. Then we shall learn why he didnt steal the jewels.
But the snake? said Pauline, looking wonderingly at the Inspector; the burglar must have been a maniac or an eccentric to put that snake round my aunts neck after he killed her, and nothing will ever make me believe that she allowed it there while alive!
Thats what I say, put in Haviland; the whole affair is so inexplicable, excuse me, Mr. Brunt, but I cant think it such a simple case as you do, that I think we should engage expert skill to solve the mysteries of it all.
That must come later, and Inspector Brunt resumed his usual gravity of manner which had been disturbed by the discovery of the black-jack. Will you now please give me some detailed information as to the circumstances? Is the house always securely locked at night?
Very much so, answered Haviland; Miss Carrington was not overly timid, but she always insisted on careful precautions against burglary. She had a house full of valuable furniture, curios, and art works besides her personal belongings. Yes, the house was always supposed to be carefully locked and bolted.
Whose duty is it to look after it?
The butler Haskins, and his wife, who is the cook, had all such matters in charge.
I will interview them later. Now please tell me, any of you, why Miss Carrington was arrayed in such peculiar fashion, last evening.
I cant imagine, said Pauline. My aunt was not a vain woman. I have never known her to sit before a mirror, except when necessary, to have her hair dressed. It is almost unbelievable that she should deliberately don those jewels and scarf and sit down there as if to admire the effect. Yet it had that appearance.
But she wore the jewels during the evening, did she not?
Not all of them. She wore her pearls, because, as she told us, and as I have often heard her say, pearls must be worn occasionally to keep them in condition. But she added a large number of valuable gems or, some one did, after we left her last night.