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Page 116
"Eh?" exclaimed Harley, his expression undergoing a subtle change. "Do
you think his statement was untrue?"
"According to my theory, Harley, his statement was untrue, in this
particular, at least. But to proceed: Might he not have employed this
door to admit a nocturnal visitor?"
"It is feasible," muttered Harley, watching me closely.
"For the Colonel to descend to this side door when the household was
sleeping," I continued, "and to admit a woman secretly to Cray's Folly,
would have been a simple matter. Indeed, on the occasions of these
visits he might even have unbolted the door himself after Pedro had
bolted it, in order to enable her to enter without his descending for
the purpose of admitting her."
"By heavens! Knox," said Harley, "I believe you have it!"
His eyes were gleaming excitedly, and I proceeded:
"Hence the footsteps which passed Miss Beverley's door, hence the
shadow which you saw upon the blind; and the sounds which you detected
in the hall were caused, of course, by this woman retiring. It was the
door leading into the shrubbery which we heard being closed!"
"Continue," said Harley; "although I can plainly see to what this is
leading."
"You can see, Harley?" I cried; "of course you can see! The enmity
between Camber and Menendez is understandable at last."
"You mean that Menendez was Mrs. Camber's lover?"
"Don't you agree with me?"
"It is feasible, Knox, dreadfully feasible. But go on."
"My theory also explains Colin Camber's lapse from sobriety. It is
legitimate to suppose that his wife, who was a Cuban, had been intimate
with Menendez before her meeting with Camber. Perhaps she had broken
the tie at the time of her marriage, but this is mere supposition.
Then, her old lover, his infatuation by no means abated, leases the
property adjoining that of his successful rival."
"Knox!" exclaimed Paul Harley, "this is brilliant. I am all impatience
for the _d�nouement_."
"It is coming," I said, triumphantly. "Relations are re�stablished,
clandestinely. Colin Camber learns of these. A passionate quarrel
ensues, resulting in a long drinking bout designed to drown his
sorrows. His love for his wife is so great that he has forgiven her
this infidelity. Accordingly, she has promised to see her lover no
more. Hers was the figure which you saw outlined upon the blind on the
night before the tragedy, Harley! The gestures, which you described as
those of despair, furnish evidence to confirm my theory. It was a final
meeting!"
"Hm," muttered Harley. "It would be taking big chances, because we have
to suppose, Knox, that these visits to Cray's Folly were made whilst
her husband was at work in the study. If he had suddenly decided to
turn in, all would have been discovered."
"True," I agreed, "but is it impossible?"
"No, not a bit. Women are dreadful gamblers. But continue, Knox."
"Very well. Colonel Menendez has refused to accept his dismissal, and
Mrs. Camber had been compelled to promise, without necessarily
intending to carry out the promise, that she would see him again on the
following night. She failed to come; whereupon he, growing impatient,
walked out into the grounds of Cray's Folly to look for her. She may
even have intended to come and have been intercepted by her husband.
But in any event, the latter, seeing the man who had wronged him,
standing out there in the moonlight, found temptation to be too strong.
On the whole, I favour the idea that he had intercepted his wife, and
snatching up a rifle, had actually gone out into the garden with the
intention of shooting Menendez."
"I see," murmured Harley in a low voice. "This hypothesis, Knox, does
not embrace the Bat Wing episodes."
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