|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 83
Mitchington showed a desire to speak, and Bryce paused.
"What about what Ransford said before the Coroner?" asked
Mitchington. "He demanded certain information about the
post-mortem, you know, which, he said, ought to have shown
that there was nothing poisonous in those pills."
"Pooh!" exclaimed Bryce contemptuously. "Mere bluff! Of such
a pill as that I've described there'd be no trace but the
sugar coating--and the poison. I tell you, I haven't the
least doubt that that was how the poison was administered. It
was easy. And--who is there that would know how easily it
could be administered but--a medical man?"
Mitchington and Jettison exchanged glances. Then Jettison
leaned nearer to Bryce.
"So your theory is that Ransford got rid of both Braden and
Collishaw--murdered both of them, in fact?" he suggested. "Do
I understand that's what it really comes to--in plain words?"
"Not quite," replied Bryce. "I don't say that Ransford meant
to kill Braden--my notion is that they met, had an
altercation, probably a struggle, and that Braden lost his
life in it. But as regards Collishaw--"
"Don't forget!" interrupted Mitchington. "Varner swore that
he saw Braden flung through that doorway! Flung out! He saw
a hand."
"For everything that Varner could prove to the contrary,"
answered Bryce, "the hand might have been stretched out to
pull Braden back. No--I think there may have been accident in
that affair. But, as regards Collishaw--murder, without
doubt--deliberate!"
He lighted another cigarette, with the air of a man who had
spoken his mind, and Mitchington, realizing that he had said
all he had to say, got up from his seat.
"Well--it's all very interesting and very clever, doctor," he
said, glancing at Jettison. "And we shall keep it all in
mind. Of course, you've talked all this over with Harker? I
should like to know what he has to say. Now that you've told
us who he is, I suppose we can talk to him?"
"You'll have to wait a few days, then," said Bryce. "He's
gone to town--by the last train tonight--on this business.
I've sent him. I had some information today about Ransford's
whereabouts during the time of disappearance, and I've
commissioned Harker to examine into it. When I hear what he's
found out, I'll let you know."
"You're taking some trouble," remarked Mitchington.
"I've told you the reason," answered Bryce.
Mitchington hesitated a little; then, with a motion of his
head towards the door, beckoned Jettison to follow him.
"All right," he said. "There's plenty for us to see into, I'm
thinking!"
Bryce laughed and pointed to a shelf of books near the
fireplace.
"Do you know what Napoleon Bonaparte once gave as sound advice
to police?" he asked. "No! Then I'll tell you. 'The art of
the police,' he said, 'is not to see that which it is useless
for it to see.' Good counsel, Mitchington!"
The two men went away through the midnight streets, and kept
silence until they were near the door of Jettison's hotel.
Then Mitchington spoke.
"Well!" he said. "We've had a couple of tales, anyhow! What
do you think of things, now?"
Jettison threw back his head with a dry laugh.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|