|
||||||||
Douglas has spent most of his life in America, and this shotgun seems to be an American weapon, it would seem that the private grudge is the more likely theory. He slipped into this room because it was the first he came to, and he hid behind the curtain. There he remained until past eleven at night. At that time Mr. Douglas entered the room. It was a short interview, if there were any interview at all; for Mrs. Douglas declares that her husband had not left her more than a few minutes when she heard the shot. The candle shows that, said Holmes. Exactly. The candle, which was a new one, is not burned more than half an inch. He must have placed it on the table before he was attacked; otherwise, of course, it would have fallen when he fell. This shows that he was not attacked the instant that he entered the room. When Mr. Barker arrived the candle was lit and the lamp was out. Thats all clear enough. Well, now, we can reconstruct things on those lines. Mr. Douglas enters the room. He puts down the candle. A man appears from behind the curtain. He is armed with this gun. He demands the wedding ringHeaven only knows why, but so it must have been. Mr. Douglas gave it up. Then either in cold blood or in the course of a struggleDouglas may have gripped the hammer that was found upon the mathe shot Douglas in this horrible way. He dropped his gun and also it would seem this queer cardV. V. 341, whatever that may meanand he made his escape through the window and across the moat at the very moment when Cecil Barker was discovering the crime. Hows that, Mr. Holmes? Very interesting, but just a little unconvincing. Man, it would be absolute nonsense if it wasnt that anything else is even worse! cried MacDonald. Somebody killed the man, and whoever it was I could clearly prove to you that he should have done it some other way. What does he mean by allowing his retreat to be cut off like that? What does he mean by using a shotgun when silence was his one chance of escape? Come, Mr. Holmes, its up to you to give us a lead, since you say Mr. White Masons theory is unconvincing. Holmes had sat intently observant during this long discussion, missing no word that was said, with his keen eyes darting to right and to left, and his forehead wrinkled with speculation. I should like a few more facts before I get so far as a theory, Mr. Mac, said he, kneeling down beside the body. Dear me! these injuries are really appalling. Can we have the butler in for a moment? Ames, I understand that you have often seen this very unusual marka branded triangle inside a circleupon Mr. Douglass forearm? Frequently, sir. You never heard any speculation as to what it meant? No, sir. It must have caused great pain when it was inflicted. It is undoubtedly a burn. Now, I observe, Ames, that there is a small piece of plaster at the angle of Mr. Douglass jaw. Did you observe that in life? Yes, sir, he cut himself in shaving yesterday morning. Did you ever know him to cut himself in shaving before? Not for a very long time, sir. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||