登陆注册
5362400000077

第77章 XXIII WORDS IN THE NIGHT(1)

Had I any premonition of the astounding fact thus suddenly and, I may say, dramatically revealed to us during the weeks I had devoted to the elucidation of the causes and circumstances of Mrs. Jeffrey's death? I do not think so. Nothing in her face, as I remembered it; nothing in the feeling evinced toward her by husband or sister, had prepared me for a disclosure of crime so revolting as to surpass all that I had ever imagined or could imagine in a woman of such dainty personality and unmistakable culture. Nor was the superintendent or the district attorney less confounded by the event. Durbin only tried to look wise and strut about, but it was of no use; he deceived nobody. Veronica Moore's real connection with Mr. Pfeiffer's death, - a death which in some inscrutable way had in so short a time led to her own, - was an overwhelming surprise to every one of us.

The superintendent, as was natural, recovered first.

"This throws quite a new light upon the matter," said he. "Now we can understand why Mr. Jeffrey uttered that extraordinary avowal overheard on the bridge: 'She must die!' She had come to him with blood on her hands."

It seemed incredible, nay more, unreal. I recalled the sweet refined face turned up to me from the bare boards of this same floor, the accounts I had read of the vivacity of her spirits and the wild charm of her manner till the shadow of this old house fell upon her.

I marveled, still feeling myself in the dark, still clinging to my faith in womankind, still asking to what depths her sister had followed her in the mazes of crime we were forced to recognize but could not understand.

Durbin had no such feelings and no such scruples, as was shown by the sarcastic comment which now left his lips.

"So!" he cried, "we have to do with three criminals instead of two.

Nice family, the Moore-Jeffreys !"

But no one paid any attention to him. Addressing the major, the district attorney asked when he expected to hear from Denver, adding that it had now become of the first importance to ascertain the exact relations existing between the persons under suspicion and the latest victim of this deadly mechanism.

The major's answer was abrupt. He had been expecting a report for days. He was expecting one yet. If it came in at any time, night or day, he was to be immediately notified. Word might be sent him in an hour, in a minute.

Were his remarks a prophecy? He had hardly ceased speaking when an officer appeared with a telegram in his hand. This the major eagerly took and, noting that it was in cipher, read it by means of the code he carried in his pocket. Translated, it ran thus:

Result of open inquiry in Denver.

Three brothers Pfeiffer; all well thought of, but plain in their ways and eccentric. One doing business in Denver. Died June, '97. One perished in Klondike, October, same year; and one, by name Wallace, died suddenly three months since in Washington.

Nothing further gained by secret inquiry in this place.

Result of open inquiry in Owosso.

A man named Pfeiffer kept a store in Owosso during the time V. M. attended school there. He was one of three brothers, home Denver, name Wallace. Simultaneously with V. M.'s leaving school, P. broke up business and at instigation of his brother William, who accompanied him, went to the Klondike. No especial relation between lady and this same P. ever noted. V. M. once heard to laugh at his awkward ways.

Result of secret inquiry in Owosso.

V. M. very intimate with schoolmate who has since died. Often rode together; once gone a long time. This was just before V. M. left school for good. Date same as that on which a marriage occurred in a town twenty miles distant. Bride, Antoinette Moore; groom, W.

Pfeiffer of Denver; witness, young girl with red hair. Schoolmate had red hair. Had V. M. a middle initial, and was that initial A?

We all looked at each other; this last question was one none of us could answer.

"Go for Mr. Jeffrey at once," ordered the major, "and let another one of you bring Miss Tuttle. No word to either of what has occurred and no hint of their possible meeting here."

It fell to me to fetch Miss Tuttle. I was glad of this, as it gave me a few minutes by myself in which to compose my mind and adjust my thoughts to the new conditions opened up by the amazing facts which had just come to light. But beyond the fact that Mrs. Jeffrey had been answerable for the death which had occurred in the library at the time of her marriage - that, in the words of the district attorney, she had come to her husband with blood on her hands, my thoughts would not go; confusion followed the least attempt to settle the vital question of how far Miss Tuttle and Mr. Jeffrey had been involved in the earlier crime and what the coming interview with these two would add to our present knowledge. In my anxiety to have this question answered I hastened my steps and was soon at the door of Miss Tuttle's present dwelling place.

I had not seen this lady since the inquest, and my heart beat high as I sat awaiting her appearance in the dim little parlor where I had been seated by the person who held her under secret surveillance.

The scene I had just been through, the uncertain nature of the relations held by this beautiful woman both toward the crime just discovered and the one long associated with her name, lent to these few moments of anticipation an emotion which poorly prepared me for the touching sight of the patient smile with which she presently entered.

But I doubt if she noticed my agitation. She was too much swayed by her own. Advancing upon me in all the unconscious pride of her great beauty, she tremulously remarked:

"You have a message for me. Is it from headquarters? Or has the district attorney still more questions to ask?"

同类推荐
  • 维摩经义记

    维摩经义记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 经验丹方汇编

    经验丹方汇编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 太上洞玄灵宝五显观华光本行妙经

    太上洞玄灵宝五显观华光本行妙经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 天界觉浪盛禅师语录

    天界觉浪盛禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • THE SHADOW LINE

    THE SHADOW LINE

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 追魂夺命剑

    追魂夺命剑

    追魂夺命,一剑封喉;仗剑天下,潇洒红尘。且看白龙腾如何剑指江山,笑看天涯。
  • 鲁迅和他的周边

    鲁迅和他的周边

    《鲁迅和他的周边》是一部研究讨论鲁迅和他同时代人的著作。书中内容紧扣既定研究对象,同时注意联系当下的国情与世态,不少话题具有较强的现实意义;作者不刻意追求论述的全面性和系统性,而坚持从鲁迅研究的实际出发,突出问题意识,注重补苴罅漏,力求文章有开掘,有拓展,有新意;全书资料翔实,立论严谨,注重学术品质和学理内核,但远离艰涩生硬的经院文体,而采用散文随笔式的表达,行文简洁生动,文风舒展睿智,具有较强的可读性。
  • 重生之平凡人的奋斗

    重生之平凡人的奋斗

    人生不是梦想,人生不是也许。即使是重生的人也一样需要努力奋斗。金手指没有,也没有什么捷径可走,更加没有超能力,一步一步的走,努力活的幸福!给新书《重生之刘老四的春天》求个关注收藏!
  • 音乐之神2016

    音乐之神2016

    原计划单女主,不过根据读者意愿~主四代,红毛、宇少、粉墨、兔瓦斯及其他四代、五代女团....
  • 身份不明的女友

    身份不明的女友

    余飞是省城《三江都市报》的记者,几天前,他主动申请跟随省扶贫办的调研小组去边远贫困县做跟踪报道。今天刚回来也不休息,猫在家里连夜赶稿子,凌晨三点才睡下。最近余飞这么拼命干活,同事们都以为他是想年终评优秀——今年的年终优秀含金量很高,新马泰七日游,人人都眼红。其实余飞自己心里清楚,他这样拼命,不过是想借机离开省城,和女友温雅分开一段时间,不再想那些乱七八糟的事情。余飞和温雅相恋已快一年了,感情一直很好,可自从前不久看到了那张照片,余飞就像生吞了一只苍蝇那么难受。
  • 三齐略记

    三齐略记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 公司开到北宋去

    公司开到北宋去

    被誉为天才的商业巨子孙维梁,事业如日中天之际突遭暗算,意外来到北宋雍熙年间。孙维梁执着的想要复制前世辉煌,渴望拥有自己的公司,并为此锲而不舍的奋斗。期间发生了很多故事,惊险、刺激、有趣、励志、感动……本书试着带大家进入孙维梁的故事中,领略其中的精彩人生。
  • 法华三昧经

    法华三昧经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 蜀汉纪

    蜀汉纪

    我是刘诞刘诞侬晓得哇?(不晓得。)好吧,可能你对我不是很熟悉,但是我的哥哥你应该认识。我大哥名叫刘范,是个不得了的人物,官拜左中郎将,在朝中那也算的上是数一数二的……(刘范?也不晓得。)好吧,好吧,既然不晓得,那我就不说我大哥了。我还有三弟,三弟名为刘瑁字叔玉,在京城也算……(不用再说了,也不晓得。)好吧好吧,幸好我还有一个比较有名的弟弟,叫做刘璋!(哦?刘璋?)没错,就是你脑海里的那个刘璋。(我脑海里没有刘璋啊喂!)这里,是汉末后世还给它取了一个独立的名字——三国这是个老套的故事,这是一个离奇的故事且看刘仲玉将会在这个时代产生怎样的纠葛开始怎样的生活
  • 极品天师:我的老公在阴间

    极品天师:我的老公在阴间

    郊外失去大脑的尸体、半夜山谷里的数不清的白骨,村庄莫名死去的村民,异界离奇失踪的人口......一桩桩,一件件,这其中到底有什么样的联系,幕后是谁在推动这一切!步步追查,拨开重重迷雾发现幕后推手!层层追击,破解桩桩案件直面异界种族!蛊虫、丧尸,这背后究竟有什么目的?顾轻一眯眼,管它有什么目的,在我的地盘上作死就是不行!破案件,斗异族,一步一步,终完胜!阎罗笑呵呵,站在自家女人旁边,偶尔出出手,做家务,煮菜肴,一步一步,且看他能否抱得美人归!