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Chapter XI. The Case for the Prosecution
Wouldhe,orwouldhenothavehadplentyoftimetoremoveanddestroythem?”
“Yes.”
“Wasthepileofunderclothesunderwhichthethingswerehiddenheavyorlight?”
“Heavyish.”
“Inotherwords,itwaswinterunderclothing.Obviously,theprisonerwouldnotbelikelytogotothatdrawer?”
“Perhapsnot.”
“Kindlyanswermyquestion.Wouldtheprisoner,inthehottestweekofahotsummer,belikelytogotoadrawercontainingwinterunderclothing.Yes,orno?”
“No.”
“Inthatcase,isitnotpossiblethatthearticlesinquestionmighthavebeenputtherebyathirdperson,andthattheprisonerwasquiteunawareoftheirpresence?”
“Ishouldnotthinkitlikely.”
“Butitispossible?”
“Yes.”
“Thatisall.”
Moreevidencefollowed.EvidenceastothefinancialdifficultiesinwhichtheprisonerhadfoundhimselfattheendofJuly.EvidenceastohisintriguewithMrs.Raikes—poorMary,thatmusthavebeenbitterhearingforawomanofherpride.EvelynHowardhadbeenrightinherfacts,thoughheranimosityagainstAlfredInglethorphadcausedhertojumptotheconclusionthathewasthepersonconcerned.
LawrenceCavendishwasthenputintothebox.Inalowvoice,inanswertoMr.Philips’questions,hedeniedhavingorderedanythingfromParkson’sinJune.Infact,onJune29th,hehadbeenstayingaway,inWales.
Instantly,SirErnest’schinwasshootingpugnaciouslyforward.
“YoudenyhavingorderedablackbeardfromParkson’sonJune29th?”
“Ido.
