"The abandonment of this hypothesis will force them to relinquish the idea that the murder was committed from without.What then remains? Only the second alternative.They must either give up altogether the idea of murder, or have recourse to what is known as the theory of exclusive opportunity.""Theory of exclusive opportunity," repeated Gwen, as a puzzled look overspread her countenance."I - I fear I do not quite understand what you mean.""Pardon me, Miss Darrow, for not making my meaning clearer to you,"said Maitland with a deferential inclination of the head."The theory of exclusive opportunity, to state it plainly in this case, means simply this: if Mr.Darrow were murdered, some one of us five, we being the only ones having an opportunity to do the deed, must be the assassin.Whether this view be taken, or that of suicide, it becomes of paramount importance to find the weapon.Do you not now see why I objected to having anyone leave the room? If, as appears likely from my search, the weapon is not to be found, and if, as Ifeel reasonably certain, either the suicide or the murder theory be substantiated, then, anyone who left the room before official search was made would be held to have taken the weapon with him and disposed of it, because his would have been the exclusive opportunity of so doing.Someone must have disposed of it, and no one else had a chance to do so; that would be the way it would be stated.But, since no one of us has left the room, a thorough search both of it and of our persons, must convince the officers that we, at least, are not responsible for the fact that the weapon is not forthcoming."Maitland paused and looked at Browne as if he expected him to speak, but that gentleman only shut his square jaws the more firmly together and held his peace, - at least in so far as words were concerned.
If looks, like actions, "speak louder than words," this black visage with its two points of fire made eloquent discourse.I charged all this display of malice to jealousy.It is not altogether pleasant to be placed at a disadvantage before the one being whose good opinion one prizes above all things else, - that is to say, I have read that such is the case.I do not consider my own views upon such matters expert testimony.In all affairs of the heart my opinions cease to have weight at exactly the point where that organ ceases to be a pump.
Even Gwen, I think, noticed Browne's determined silence, for she said to Maitland:
"I am very grateful that your forethought prevented me from causing Mr.Browne even temporary annoyance by making him my messenger."She paused a moment and then continued:
"You were speaking of the officers' theories.When they have convinced themselves that no one of us has removed the weapon, what then?""In my opinion," said Maitland, "they will ultimately fall back upon the suicide theory, but they must find the weapon here before they can substantiate it; for if it be not here someone must have taken it away and that someone could have only been the one who used it - the assassin, in short - but here are the officers.Let each one of us insist upon being searched.They can send to the station for a woman to search you," he said in an undertone to Gwen and then added: "I trust you will pardon my 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 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.Iremember 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.
