Убийство на поле для гольфа
25. An Unexpected Dénouement
Becauseitwasthefollowingmorning,June8th,thatweheardofthemurder.”
Anotherrailwayofficialwasbroughtin,andconfirmedthefirstone’sevidence.ThemagistratelookedatJackRenauld.
“Thesemenhaveidentifiedyoupositively.Whathaveyoutosay?”
Jackshruggedhisshoulders.
“Nothing.”
M.Hautetexchangedaglancewiththegreffier,asthescratchingofthelatter’spenrecordedtheanswer.
“Renauld,”continuedthemagistrate,“doyourecognizethis?”
Hetooksomethingfromthetablebyhisside,andhelditouttotheprisoner.IshudderedasIrecognizedtheaeroplanedagger.
“Pardon,”criedMaîtreGrosíer.“Idemandtospeaktomyclientbeforeheanswersthatquestion.”
ButJackRenauldhadnoconsiderationforthefeelingsofthewretchedGrosíer.Hewavedhimaside,andrepliedquietly:
“CertainlyIrecognizeit.Itisapresentgivenbymetomymother,asasouveniroftheWar.”
“Isthere,asfarasyouknow,anyduplicateofthatdaggerinexistence?”
AgainMaîtreGrosíerburstout,andagainJackoverrodehim.
“NotthatIknowof.Thesettingwasmyowndesign.”
Eventhemagistratealmostgaspedattheboldnessofthereply.Itdid,inverytruth,seemasthoughJackwasrushingonhisfate.Irealized,ofcourse,thevitalnecessityhewasunderofconcealing,forBella’ssake,thefactthattherewasaduplicatedaggerinthecase.Solongastherewassupposedtobeonlyoneweapon,nosuspicionwaslikelytoattachtothegirlwhohadhadthesecondpaper-knifeinherpossession.
