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Page 41
For a moment, the information of uncle and nephew exhausted,
Hardcastle returned to the matter of the breakfast discussion.
"You will, of course, understand that I am quite satisfied a
material and physical explanation exists for this unfortunate
event," he said. "I need hardly tell you that I am unprepared to
entertain any supernatural theory of the business. I don't
believe myself in ghosts, because in my experience, and it is
pretty wide, ghost stories break down badly under anything like
skilled and independent examination. There is a natural reason
for what has happened, as there is a natural reason for
everything that happens. We talk of unnatural things happening,
but that is a contradiction in terms. Nothing can happen that is
not natural. What we call Nature embraces every conceivable action
or event or possibility. We may fail to fathom a mystery, and we
know that a thousand things happen every day and night that seem
beyond the power of our wits to explain; but that is only to say
our wits are limited. I hold, however, that very few things happen
which do not yield an explanation, sooner or later, if approached
by those best trained to examine them without predisposition or
prejudice. And I earnestly hope that this tragic business will
give up its secret."
"May you prove the correctness of your opinions, Mr. Hardcastle,"
answered Sir Walter. "Would you like to see the Grey Room now?"
"I should; though I tell you frankly it is not in the Grey Room
that I shall find what I seek. It does not particularly interest
me, and for this reason. I do not associate Captain May's death
in any way with the earlier tragedy--that of the hospital nurse,
Mrs. Forrester. It is a coincidence, in my opinion, and probably,
if physiology were a more perfect science than, in my experience
of post-mortem examinations, it has proved to be, the reason for
the lady's death would have appeared. And, for that matter, the
reason for Captain May's death also. To say there was no reason
is, of course, absurd. Nothing ever yet happened, or could happen,
without a reason. The springs of action were arrested and the
machine instantly ran down. But a man is not a clock, which can
be stopped and reveal no sign of the thing that stopped it. Life
is a far more complex matter than a watch-spring, and if we knew
more we might not be faced with so many worthless post-mortem
reports. But Sir Howard Fellowes is not often beaten. I repeat,
however, I do not associate the two deaths in the Grey Room or
connect them as the result of one and the same cause. I do not
state this as a fact beyond dispute, but that, for the present,
is my assumption. The gap in time seems too considerable. I
suspect other causes, and shall have to make researches into the
dead man's past life. I should wish also to examine all his
property. He has been in foreign countries, and may have brought
back something concerning the nature of which he was ignorant. He
may possess enemies, of whom neither you nor Mrs. May have heard
anything. Your knowledge of him, recollect, extends over only a
short time--eight or ten months, I suppose. I shall visit his
ship and his cabin in H. M. S. Indomitable also, and learn all that
his fellow officers can tell me."
Sir Walter looked at his watch.
"It is now nearly one o'clock," he said, "and at two we usually
take luncheon. What would you wish to do between now and then?
None here but ourselves and my butler--an old friend in all my
secrets--knows you have come professionally. I concealed the
fact and called you 'Forbes,' at your wish, though they cannot
fail to suspect, I fear."
"Thank you. I will see the room, then, and look round the place.
Perhaps after luncheon, if she feels equal to the task, Mrs. May
will give me a private interview. I want to learn everything
possible concerning your late son-in-law--his career before
Jutland, his philosophy of life, his habits and his friends."
"She will very gladly tell you everything she can."
They ascended to the Grey Room.
"Not the traditional haunt of spooks, certainly," said Peter
Hardcastle as they entered the bright and cheerful chamber. The
day was clear, and from the southern window unclouded sunshine came.
"Nothing is changed?" he asked.
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