the darrow enigma(达罗之迷)-第9节
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suggesting a course which； in your case； seems so utterly unnecessary； but；
believe me； there are urgent reasons for it which I can explain later。 If
we would hope to solve this mystery； everything depends upon absolute
thoroughness at this juncture。〃
〃I should evince but poor appreciation；〃 Gwen replied； 〃of the ability
you have already shown should I fail to follow your slightest suggestion。
It is all I can offer you by way of thanks for the kind interest you have
taken。〃
The return of Officer Barker； accompanied by three other men； now
changed the tide of conversation。 Maitland advanced and shook hands
with one whom he introduced as Mr。 Osborne； and this gentleman in turn
introduced his brother officer； a Mr。 Allen； and ； a special detective。
Osborne impressed me as a man of only mediocre ability； thoroughly
imbued with the idea that he is exceptionally clever。 He spoke loudly
and； I thought； a bit ostentatiously； yet withal in a manner so frank and
hearty that I could not help liking the fellow。
； on the contrary； seemed retiring almost to the point of self…abnegation。
He said but little； apparently preferring to keep in the background； where
he could record his own observations in his note…book without too
frequent interruption。 His manner was polished in the extreme； and so
frank withal that he seemed to me like a man of glass through whom every
thought shone unhindered。 I wondered how one who seemed powerless to
conceal his own emotions should possess a detective's ability to thread his
way through the dark and hidden duplicity of crime。 When he spoke it
was in a low； velvety； and soothing voice； that fell upon the ear with an
irresistible charm。 When Osborne would make some thoughtless remark
fraught with bitterness for Gwen； such an expression of pain would flit
across 's fine face as one occasionally sees in those highly organised and
sympathetic natures； … usually found among women if a doctor's
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experience may be trusted； … which catch the throb of another's hurt； even
as adjacent strings strive to sing each other's songs。
seemed to me more priest than detective。 His clean…shaven face； its
beautifully chiselled features suffused with that peculiar pallor which
borrows the transparency of marble； the large； limpid brown eyes and the
delicate； kindly mouth … all these； combined with a faultless manner and a
carriage suggestive of power in reserve； so fascinated me that I found
myself watching him continually。 I remember saying to myself： 〃What a
rival he would make in a woman's affections！〃
At just that time he was looking at Gwen with tender； solicitous
sympathy written in every feature； and that doubtless suggested my
thought。
Mr。 Allen was even more ordinary than Mr。 Osborne in manner and
appearance。 I do not presume to judge his real merits； for I did not notice
him sufficiently to properly portray him to you； even if I had the gift of
description； which I think you will admit I have not。 He lives in my
memory only as a something tall； spare； coarse of texture； red； hairy； and
redolent of poor tobacco。
How different men are！ （Of course women are all alike！） While
Osborne； like a good…natured bumble…bee； was buzzing noisily about； as
though all the world were his clover…blossom； and Allen； so far as I know；
was doing nothing； ； alert and keen despite his gentleness and a modesty
which kept him for the most part unobtrusively in the shadow of his
chosen corner； was writing rapidly in a note…book and speaking no word。
It seemed as if nothing escaped him。 Clearly he was there to enlighten
himself rather than others。 At length； pausing to make a measurement； he
noticed my gaze and said to me in an undertone； as he glanced solicitously
at Gwen lest she should hear：
〃Pardon me； but did any of you observe anything； at or about the time
of Mr。 Darrow's death； which impressed you as singular； … any noise； any
shadow； any draught or change of temperature； say a rushing or I might
say swishing sound； … anything； in fact； that would seem to you as at all
unusual？〃
〃Nothing whatever；〃 I replied。 〃Everything seemed perfectly normal
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The Darrow Enigma
and commonplace。〃
〃Hum！ Strange！〃 he said； and returned to his notes。
I felt sure had had a theory and that my testimony had not
strengthened it； but he did not volunteer any information； neither did he
take part in the conversation of his companions； and so my curiosity
remained ungratified。 It was clear that 's methods were very different
from those of Osborne and Allen。
I need not weary you by further narrating what occurred at this official
examination。 Suffice it to say that； with one or two minor exceptions；
Osborne and Allen followed the precise course of reasoning prophesied by
Maitland； and； as for ； he courteously； but firmly； held his peace。 The
two officers did not； however； lean as strongly to the theory that death
resulted from natural causes as Maitland had anticipated； and； I think； this
surprised him。 He had already told them that he expected to be able to
show death to have resulted from poison hypodermically applied； and； as I
overheard a remark made by Osborne to Allen； I readily understood their
speedy abandonment of their natural…death theory。 They were engaged in
verifying Maitland's measurement of the east side of the room when
Osborne said softly to his companion： 〃He has figured in several of my
cases as a chemical expert； and when he expresses an opinion on a matter
it's about the same as proved。 He's not the kind that jumps in the dark。
He's a lawyer as well as chemist and knows what's evidence； so I reckon
we'd better see if we can make anything out of the suicide and murder
theories。〃
Maitland had asked them to send to the station for a woman to search
Gwen and she had just arrived。 We all requested that a most thorough
examination should now be made to assure the officers that no one of us
possessed the missing weapon。 This done； the officers and departed for
the night； assuring Gwen that there was nothing further to be done till
morning； and Osborne； doubtless with a view to consoling her； said： 〃It
may be a relief to you； miss； to know that there is scarcely a doubt that
your father took his own life。〃 This had an effect upon Gwen very
different from that which had been intended。 Her face contracted； and it
was plain to see she was beginning to think everyone was determined to
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force a falsehood upon her。 Herne and Browne also prepared to take
their leave。 A glance from Maitland told me he wished me to remain
with him a moment after the others had departed； and I accordingly did so。
When we were alone with Gwen he said to her： 〃I think I understand
your feeling with regard to Mr。 Osborne's remark； as well as your
conviction that it does not represent the truth。 I foresaw they would
come to this conclusion； and know very well the pains they will take to
prove their hypothesis。〃 〃Can nothing be done？〃 she asked beseechingly。
〃It is that of which I wish to speak；〃 he replied。 〃If you have sufficient
confidence in me to place the case in my hands； I will do everything in my
power to establish the truth； … on one condition；〃 and he glanced at her
face； now pale and rigid from her long…continued effort of self…control。
〃And that condition is？〃 she said quickly。 〃That you follow my
directions and permit me to or
