Этюд в багровых тонах
Tobias Gregson shows what he can do.
“‘Ateighto’clock,’shesaid,gulpinginherthroattokeepdownheragitation. ‘Hissecretary,Mr.Stangerson,saidthatthereweretwotrains—oneat9.15andoneat11. Hewastocatchthefirst.
“‘Andwasthatthelastwhichyousawofhim?’
“Aterriblechangecameoverthewoman’sfaceasIaskedthequestion. Herfeaturesturnedperfectlylivid. Itwassomesecondsbeforeshecouldgetoutthesingleword‘Yes’—andwhenitdidcomeitwasinahuskyunnaturaltone.
“Therewassilenceforamoment,andthenthedaughterspokeinacalmclearvoice.
“‘Nogoodcanevercomeoffalsehood,mother,’shesaid. ‘Letusbefrankwiththisgentleman. WedidseeMr.Drebberagain.’
“‘Godforgiveyou!’criedMadameCharpentier,throwingupherhandsandsinkingbackinherchair. ‘Youhavemurderedyourbrother.’
“‘Arthurwouldratherthatwespokethetruth,’thegirlansweredfirmly.
“‘Youhadbesttellmeallaboutitnow,’Isaid. ‘Half-confidencesareworsethannone. Besides,youdonotknowhowmuchweknowofit.’
“‘Onyourheadbeit,Alice!’criedhermother;andthen,turningtome,‘Iwilltellyouall,sir. Donotimaginethatmyagitationonbehalfofmysonarisesfromanyfearlestheshouldhavehadahandinthisterribleaffair. Heisutterlyinnocentofit. Mydreadis,however,thatinyoureyesandintheeyesofothershemayappeartobecompromised. Thathoweverissurelyimpossible. Hishighcharacter,hisprofession,hisantecedentswouldallforbidit.’
