Annie Haynes Premium Collection – 8 Murder Mysteries in One Volume. Annie Haynes

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      Chapter XXVII

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      "Sir Anthony will see you in a few minutes, if you will please to take a seat." The butler ushered Mr. Lennox and his companion into the study.

      Mr. Lennox glanced about him keenly as he took the chair the man indicated; then his face assumed a satisfied expression.

      "I think it is the only thing to be done. We can't afford to pick and choose in our profession, Barker."

      "No, sir," the man acquiesced.

      Mr. Lennox straightened himself suddenly. "I should say the Abbey Court murder has been as puzzling an affair as we ever had in hand, take it from first to last."

      Mr. Barker looked at his superior in a little surprise. "And we are not out of the wood yet, sir."

      "We are pretty well through with it," the other contradicted. "There will not be much left to the imagination when I have finished with Sir Anthony Carew, I fancy. You understand what you have to do, Barker?"

      "I think so, sir."

      "Be careful! A word or two too much or too little might do untold mischief. On the other hand, if you manage successfully there will be a promotion for you over this business. Ah, here is Sir Anthony," as they caught an echo of his voice in the hall.

      Both men stood up as Sir Anthony came into the room. He was looking manifestly tired and ill.

      "Sorry to keep you waiting," he said as he bowed. "But my time is rather full up to-day. I understand that your business is important, Mr.—er—Lennox," glancing at the card in his hand.

      "It is, sir," that functionary answered. "Had it been possible to delay it longer I would have done so, knowing that you had a good deal of anxiety to-day. But I am acting on instructions from headquarters. And I think I had better begin by telling you, Sir Anthony, that, though I have called myself Lennox down here for reasons that you will understand, I am really Detective-Inspector Furnival, of Scotland Yard."

      "Indeed!" There was a slight stiffening of Sir Anthony's muscles that did not escape the detective's keen eyes. "I should be glad if you could make your business as short as possible," he went on politely, "since my time is, of necessity, much occupied."

      "I quite understand, Sir Anthony. If you will allow me." He spoke a few words in an undertone to Mr. Barker. "My friend will wait for us in the hall, sir, if you have no objection." He opened the door and showed the man out. Then as he closed it, his manner changed; he came back to Sir Anthony. "I am down here to investigate the Abbey Court murder, and I want your help, sir."

      "My help!" Sir Anthony echoed, his countenance changing, in spite of his best effort to maintain his composure. "I am at a loss to understand you. In what way can I help you?"

      "I will tell you, sir," the inspector looked round. "But as it is likely to be a long story, might I suggest a seat—"

      "Take one!" Sir Anthony said curtly. He went ever to the fire-place as the inspector availed himself of his permission, and took up a position on the hearthrug, with one elbow on the high wooden mantelshelf. His dark face was absolutely impassive now, as he looked at the inspector and waited for him to begin.

      The detective cleared his throat. "It would help me greatly, sir, it would help everybody who is interested in the case, very materially, if you would tell us the facts as you know them."

      "The facts as I know them! I am unable to guess your meaning, you must be more explicit, please! What facts do you imagine I am likely to know?" Sir Anthony's tone was cold, his countenance was absolutely unmoved, the inspector was obliged to admire his self-command.

      "The testimony of anybody who was on the spot near the time of the murder, if not at the actual moment, is bound to be useful," the detective said quietly.

      Sir Anthony eyed him more carefully. "Your words imply that you imagine I was on the spot."

      "We know you were," the detective said decisively. "Sir Anthony, won't you deal openly with me? I will not conceal from you that matters may become serious for you. Any moment I may have definite orders from Scotland Yard to effect your arrest. I am here, because, in spite of circumstantial evidence, I cannot believe in your guilt. I am hoping that you may tell me something that may put me on the track of the real criminal. I know you can help me, Sir Anthony. Will you?"

      Sir Anthony did not answer for a minute. He drew a box of cigars that stood at the other end of the mantelpiece towards him, and selecting one carefully, cut off the tip and lighted it, then he held the box to the detective.

      "Help yourself, inspector; they are first-rate Havanas. Well," watching his smoke curling upwards, "how much do you know?"

      Inspector Furnival hesitated. The situation required careful handling.

      "We know the identity of the lady who visited the flat on the night of the murder," he began tentatively at last. "We know that while she was inside you were watching from the shelter of a doorway opposite; we know that after she had come out you entered the block of flats, and that it must have been very near the time the fatal shot was fired. The pistol found in the room has been identified as your property."

      Sir Anthony's start was not lost on the keen-witted detective, but there came no other answer. Inspector Furnival sat back in his chair and waited.

      "Well, СКАЧАТЬ