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Page 95
I watched and listened, almost awed by the strangeness of the man who
sat before me. His three reasons were illuminating. A casual observer
might have regarded Colin Camber as a monument of selfishness. But it
was evident to me, and I knew it must be evident to Paul Harley, that
his egotism was quite selfless. To a natural human resentment and a
pathetic love for his wife he had added, as an equal clause, the claim
of the world upon his genius.
"I have heard you," said Paul Harley, quietly, "and you have led me to
the most important point of all."
"What point is that, Mr. Harley?"
"You have referred to your recent lapse from abstemiousness. Excuse me
if I discuss personal matters. This you ascribed to domestic troubles,
or so Mr. Knox has informed me. You have also referred to your
undisguised hatred of the late Colonel Juan Menendez. I am going to ask
you, Mr. Camber, to tell me quite frankly what was the nature of those
domestic troubles, and what had caused this hatred which survives even
the death of its object?"
Colin Camber stood up, angular, untidy, but a figure of great dignity.
"Mr. Harley," he replied, "I cannot answer your questions."
Paul Harley inclined his head gravely.
"May I suggest," he said, "that you will be called upon to do so under
circumstances which will brook no denial."
Colin Camber watched him unflinchingly.
"'The fate of every man is hung around his neck,'" he replied.
"Yet, in this secret history which you refuse to divulge, and which
therefore must count against you, the truth may lie which exculpates
you."
"It may be so. But my determination remains unaltered."
"Very well," answered Paul Harley, quietly, but I could see that he was
exercising a tremendous restraint upon himself. "I respect your
decision, but you have given me a giant's task, and for this I cannot
thank you, Mr. Camber."
I heard a car pulled up in the road outside the Guest House. Colin
Camber clenched his hands and sat down again in the carved chair.
"The opportunity has passed," said Harley. "The police are here."
CHAPTER XXIII
INSPECTOR AYLESBURY CROSS-EXAMINES
"Oh, I see," said Inspector Aylesbury, "a little private confab, eh?"
He sank his chin into its enveloping folds, treating Harley and myself
each to a stare of disapproval.
"These gentlemen very kindly called to advise me of the tragic
occurrence at Cray's Folly," explained Colin Camber. "Won't you be
seated, Inspector?"
"Thanks, but I can conduct my examination better standing."
He turned to Paul Harley.
"Might I ask, Mr. Harley," he said, "what concern this is of yours?"
"I am naturally interested in anything appertaining to the death of a
client, Inspector Aylesbury."
"Oh, so you slip in ahead of me, having deliberately withheld
information from the police, and think you are going to get all the
credit. Is that it?"
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