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Chapter XI. The Case for the Prosecution
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“NotwhentheservantDorcasrepeatedcertainfragmentsoftheconversation—fragmentswhichyoumusthaverecognized?”
“Ididnotrecognizethem.”
“Yourmemorymustbeunusuallyshort!”
“No,butwewerebothangry,and,Ithink,saidmorethanwemeant.Ipaidverylittleattentiontomymother’sactualwords.”
Mr.Philips’increduloussniffwasatriumphofforensicskill.Hepassedontothesubjectofthenote.
“Youhaveproducedthisnoteveryopportunely.Tellme,istherenothingfamiliaraboutthehand-writingofit?”
“NotthatIknowof.”
“Doyounotthinkthatitbearsamarkedresemblancetoyourownhand-writing—carelesslydisguised?”
“No,Idonotthinkso.”
“Iputittoyouthatitisyourownhand-writing!”
“No.”
“Iputittoyouthat,anxioustoproveanalibi,youconceivedtheideaofafictitiousandratherincredibleappointment,andwrotethisnoteyourselfinordertobearoutyourstatement!”
“No.”
“Isitnotafactthat,atthetimeyouclaimtohavebeenwaitingaboutatasolitaryandunfrequentedspot,youwerereallyinthechemist’sshopinStylesSt.Mary,whereyoupurchasedstrychnineinthenameofAlfredInglethorp?”
“No,thatisalie.”
“Iputittoyouthat,wearingasuitofMr.Inglethorp’sclothes,withablackbeardtrimmedtoresemblehis,youwerethere—andsignedtheregisterinhisname!”
“Thatisabsolutelyuntrue.
