Убийство на поле для гольфа

           TheromanticpastofMadameBeroldy,herroyalblood,andthemysteriousintriguesinwhichshehadherbeingwereshowntobemerefantasiesoftheimagination.

           ItwasprovedbeyonddoubtthatJeanneBeroldy’sparentswereahighlyrespectableandprosaiccouple,fruitmerchants,wholivedontheoutskirtsofLyons.TheRussianGrandDuke,thecourtintrigues,andthepoliticalschemes—allthestoriescurrentweretracedbackto—theladyherself!Fromherbrainhademanatedtheseingeniousmyths,andshewasprovedtohaveraisedaconsiderablesumofmoneyfromvariouscredulouspersonsbyherfictionofthe“Crownjewels”—thejewelsinquestionbeingfoundtobemerepasteimitations.Remorselesslythewholestoryofherlifewaslaidbare.ThemotiveforthemurderwasfoundinMr.HiramP.Trapp.Mr.Trappdidhisbest,butrelentlesslyandagilelycross-questionedhewasforcedtoadmitthathelovedthelady,andthat,hadshebeenfree,hewouldhaveaskedhertobehiswife.Thefactthattherelationsbetweenthemwereadmittedlyplatonicstrengthenedthecaseagainsttheaccused.Debarredfrombecominghismistressbythesimplehonourablenatureoftheman,JeanneBeroldyhadconceivedthemonstrousprojectofriddingherselfofherelderlyundistinguishedhusband,andbecomingthewifeoftherichAmerican.

           Throughout,MadameBeroldyconfrontedheraccuserswithcompletesangfroidandselfpossession.Herstorynevervaried.Shecontinuedtodeclarestrenuouslythatshewasofroyalbirth,andthatshehadbeensubstitutedforthedaughterofthefruitselleratanearlyage.