June 10, 2025 • 17 mins
Reunited after many years, two former classmates, now immersed in military life, find themselves seeking anonymity from the public eye. Dick West, a disgraced heir to his familys estate, waits for a message from his cousin through the infamous Red Window - a symbol of danger during times of civil strife. The message would signify his grandfathers forgiveness. However, things take an unexpected turn as a handkerchief wrapped around the old mans neck adds a layer of complexity to the situation. This summary is brought to you by Lynne Thompson.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter seventeen of The Red Window. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by Craig Kenneth Bryant. The Red Window by Fergus Hume,
(00:22):
Chapter seventeen the Diary. Before Miss Berengaria could communicate with Durham,
he had left the castle for town. On hearing this
from Bernard, the old lady at once sent up to
him a full report of the arrival of Michael at
the Bower under the name of Gore. He is now
a trifle better, wrote Miss Berengaria, but having suffered from
(00:43):
great privations, he is still ill, and, so far as
I can see, is likely to keep to his bed
for some time. Payne is attending to him and says
he needs careful nursing and tonics. He is so weak
as to be scarcely able to walk, which is perhaps
all the better. As Alice and I might are rouse
his suspicions. We have accepted him as Bernard, and when
(01:04):
you come down you can question him either in that
character or as Michael. To tell you the truth, I
am sorry for the boy. He is only twenty one
or thereabouts, and I think he has been misguided after all,
even he may not have committed the crime, although he
certainly was with Sir Simon on that fatal night. The servants,
with the exception of my own especial maid Maria Tate,
(01:25):
know nothing of the man's presence in the turret chamber,
and you may be sure that I am taking care.
Jerry Moon learns nothing, but I shall be glad when
you can come down to take the matter out of
my hands. I am much worried over it. Conniston comes
over daily to see Lucy Randolph at the hall, but
he is so feather brained a creature that I don't
care about entrusting such a secret to him, Nor do
(01:47):
I wish Bernard to know. With his impetuosity, he would
probably come over at once and run the chance of arrest.
The whole matter is in your hands, Durham, so write
and tell me what I am to do. At all events.
I have a fast hold of Bernard's double and you
may be sure I shall not allow him to go
until this mystery is cleared up. In reply to this
(02:07):
pressing epistle, Durham wrote, telling Miss Berengaria to wait for
three or four days. He was advertising for Tolomeo and
hoped to see him at his office. If, as Durham thought,
the Italian had been with Sir Simon on that night,
something might be learned from him likely to prove the
presence of Michael in the room. The examination of Michael,
which Durham proposed to make, would then be rendered much easier.
(02:31):
The lawyer, in conclusion, quite agreed with Miss Plantagenet that
Conniston and Bernard should not be told. I hope to
be with you by the end of the week. He finished.
Deuce take the man, said Miss Berengaria, rubbing her nose.
Does he think I can wait all that time? I
don't see what else you can do, aunt, said Alice,
when the letter was read. And this poor creature is
(02:52):
so weak that I do not think he will be
able to speak much for a few days. All we
have to do is nurse him and ask no questions,
and to let him think we believe him to be Bernard. Oh,
he is quite convinced of that, said Alice quickly. I
suppose he hoped I would think his altered looks might
induce me to overlook any lack of resemblance to Bernard. Yes,
(03:14):
but he must guess when you talk you will find
him out, seeing how you know much of Bernard that
he cannot know. Perhaps that is why he holds his tongue,
said Alice rising. But we must wait, Aunt, I suppose
we must, said Miss Berengaria dolefully drat the whole business.
Was there ever such a coil? Well, then, Aunt, will
you leave it alone? Certainly not? I intend to see
(03:36):
the thing through, owing to my reticence to Sir Simon
about your parents, Alice, I am really responsible for the
whole business. So I will keep working at it until
Bernard is out of danger and married to you, Ah,
sighed Miss Malleson. And when will that be? Sooner than
you think? Perhaps every day brings a surprise. One day
(03:58):
certainly brought a surprise to Lucie Randolph. She learned that
Conniston loved her, though to be sure, his frequent visits
might have shown her how he was losing his heart.
She was glad of this, as she admired Conniston exceedingly
and moreover wished to escape from her awkward position at
the hall. When Bernard came back and married Alice, she
would have to leave the hall and live on the
(04:19):
small income allotted to her by the generosity of the
dead man. It would be much better, as she truly thought,
to marry Conniston, even though he was the poorest of peers.
One can do a lot with a title even without money,
and Lucy was wise in her generation. Moreover, she was
truly in love with the young man and thought very
rightly that he would make her a good husband. As usual, Conniston,
(04:43):
having taken into his head that Lucy would be an
ideal wife, pursued his suit with characteristic impetuosity. He came
over daily or almost daily to Gore Hall, and finally,
when Lucy broke off her engagement to Beryl, he told
her of the whereabouts of Bernard. Lucy was overwhelmed and
delighted to think that he should be alive after all,
(05:03):
She said, I am so pleased, so glad, dear Bernard.
Now he will be able to enjoy the fortune and
the title and marry Alice. You forget, said Conniston a
trifle dryly. Bernard has yet to prove his innocence. We
are all trying to help him. Will you also give
a hand, Miss Randolph. Lucy stared at him with widely
(05:24):
open eyes. Of course I will, Lord Conniston, she said, heartily,
What do you wish me to do in the first place?
Tell me if you sent a boy to bring Bernard
to crime A Square. No, I know the boy you mean.
He is a lad called Jerry Moon. Julius found him
selling matches in town, ragged and poor. He helped him,
(05:44):
and the other day he procured him a situation with
Miss Berengaria. He is there now, but he, we have
reason to believe, is the boy who lured Bernard to
crime A Square. I know nothing about that, said Lucy, frankly.
Why I ask the boy himself? It would be easy.
We will ask the boy, shortly, replied Conniston, evasively, not
(06:06):
wishing at this juncture to tell her that the great
object of every one was to prevent Jerry thinking he
was suspected. Should you meet the boy, say nothing to him.
I will not, and I am not likely to meet
the boy. He is usually in Miss Plantagenet's poultry yard,
and I rarely go round there. Lucy paused, it is
strange that the boy should act like that. I wonder
(06:27):
if Sir Simon sent him to fetch Bernard and arranged
the red window as a sign which house it was
the red window? Ah? Yes, Missus Webber saw the light
and Julius afterwards, didn't I know that it was my fault.
When we drove up in the carriage on that terrible night,
I saw the red light and wondered if Sir Simon
(06:49):
had arranged it as a sign to Bernard. When I
saw Bernard in the hall, I was not astonished, for
I thought he had come in answer to the light.
I went upstairs, and after attending to Sir Simon, I
went to the window. The lamp was before it, and
stretched across the pane was a red bandanna handkerchief of
Sir Simon's. I took that away, so you see how
(07:09):
it was. Julius did not see the light. Why did
you remove the handkerchief, asked the puzzled Conniston. Well. I
wanted to save Bernard if possible, and I thought if
the red light which had drawn him were removed, he
could make some excuse. Julius knew about the red light,
and as he hated Bernard, I fancied he would use
it against him. But really added Miss Randolph, wrinkling her
(07:31):
pretty brows. I hardly knew what I was doing, save
that in some vague way I fancied the removal of
the handkerchief might help Bernard. Is that clear? Perfectly clear?
Said Conniston, And I am glad I know this. May
I tell Bernard and Durham. Certainly I want to do
all I can to help Bernard. Ah, you are a
good woman, said Conniston eagerly. I wonder if you could
(07:55):
make a chap good. It depends on the chap, said Lucy, shyly.
I know a chap who. Please stop, Lord Conniston cried Lucy,
starting up in confusion. I have heaps and heaps to do.
You prevent my working. Her hurried flight prevented Conniston from
putting the question on that occasion, but he was not daunted.
(08:15):
He resolved to propose as soon as possible, But Lucy
thought he was making love too ardently, and by those
arts known to women alone, she managed to keep him
at arm's length. She was anxious that Bernard should be cleared,
that he should take up his rightful position and should
receive back the hall from her. Before Lord Conniston proposed,
(08:36):
of course, Lucy was ready to accept him, but sure
of her fish, she played with him until such time
as she felt disposed to accept his hand and heart
and title and what remained of the west fortune. Conniston,
more determined than ever to win this adorable woman, came
over regularly, but Lucy skillfully kept him off the dangerous ground,
(08:58):
whereby he fell deeper in love than ever. Then one
day she appeared with a blue covered book, the contents
of which so startled them that love making was postponed
to a more convenient season. Fancy, said Lucy, running to
meet Conniston one afternoon, as soon as he appeared at
the drawing room door. I have found the diary of
(09:21):
missus Gilroy. That's a good thing, said Conniston eagerly. She
knows more of the truth than anyone else. We must
read her diary. Will that be honorable, said Lucy, retaining
her hold of the book perfectly. One does not stand
on ceremony when a man's neck is at stake. Missus
Gilroy's diary may save Bernard's life. She knew too much
(09:41):
about the murder and fled because she thought Durham would
come and question her. Oh was that why she ran away? Yes,
a woman like Missus Gilroy does not take such a
course for nothing. She's a clever woman and a very
disagreeable woman, said Lucy emphatically. But what did she know?
Conniston wriggled uneasily. He was not quite certain whether he
(10:04):
ought to tell Lucy all that had been discovered, and
had he not been in love with her, he probably
would have held his tongue, But after some reflection he
decided to speak out. You are, of course on Bernard's side,
he said, yes, and against Julius, who hates Bernard. I
will do anything I can to help Bernard. I am
sure you can see that, She added, in an almost
(10:25):
reproachful manner. I know, I know you are the truest
and best woman in the world, said Conniston eagerly. But
what I have to tell you is not my own secret.
It concerns Bernard. Then don't tell me, said Lucy, coloring angrily. Yes,
I will. You have the diary and I want to
(10:46):
read it to know why I do. It is necessary
that you should learn all that we have discovered. What
have you discovered? Who killed Sir Simon? No, we are
trying to hunt down the assassin, and missus Gilroy's diary
may tell us. I don't see that. You will when
you learn what I have to say. And Conniston related
(11:08):
everything concerning the false marriage and the half brother of
young Gore. And now you see, he finished triumphantly. Missus
Gilroy is fighting for her son. It is probable that
she has set down the events of that night in
her diary. She would not be such a fool if
her son is guilty. Oh, people do all manner of
queer things. Criminals who are very secretive in speech sometimes
(11:30):
give themselves away in writing. You were at the theater
on that night, yes, with Julius, So neither of us
had anything to do with the matter. If that is
what you mean, I mean nothing of the sort, said
Conniston quickly. How can you think I should suspect you?
You might suspect Julius, said Lucy suspiciously. And although we
have quarreled, I don't want to harm him. Would you
(11:51):
rather have Bernard hanged? Oh? Lucy burst into tears and
impulsively threw the book into Conniston's lap. Read it at once.
I would rather save Bernard than Julius. Conniston availed himself
of this permission at once. He took away the diary
with Lucy's permission, and carried it in triumph to the castle.
Here he and Bernard sat down to master its contents.
(12:14):
These astonished them considerably. Conniston made out a short and
concise account of the events of that fatal night for
the benefit of Durham. They were as follows, Missus Gilroy,
it appears thought that her son Michael was really and
truly in America. She had no suspicion that the lover
of Jane Arden was her son, but truly believed from
(12:35):
the description that he was young Gore, whom she hated,
as she plainly stated in several pages. When the presumed
Bernard went away before six, he did not call again.
At ten o'clock the man that called Missus Gilroy asserted
was Bernard and not her son. He saw Sir Simon,
and after a stormy interview he departed. Why then doesn't
(12:56):
she accuse me of the crime, said Gore, bit said Conniston,
who was reading his precie. This diary is meant for
her eye alone. Still she may have thought it might
fall into the hands of another person, and therefore made
her son safe. Michael called before Tin for then Bernard,
you were with Durham and myself. Michael saw Sir Simon,
(13:17):
and then Missus Gilroy, pretending the man was you, says
he departed, leaving your grandfather alive. See here's the bit,
and he read Sir Simon was alive. After mister Gore
left the house, go on, said Bernard. If I am innocent,
why did she accuse me? Because I believe her son
is guilty. He left Sir Simon dead. Missus Gilroy found
(13:40):
the body, knew what had occurred, and then ran out
on hearing Jerry's whistle, knowing she would meet you. It's
all plain, very plain, said Gore emphatically, A regular trap.
Go on afterwards, and shortly before a quarter past ten,
there came a ring at the door. Missus Gilroy went,
and there she found Signor Tolomeo, who asked to see
(14:03):
Sir Simon. She took him up the stairs and left
him to speak with Sir Simon. What took place she
did not know, But she was sitting below working and
heard the door close. It was just before a quarter
to eleven that she heard this. About the time I came,
muttered Bernard. Missus Gilroy as appeared from the diary ran
(14:23):
up to see if the master was all right. She
found him strangled and with the handkerchiefs tied over his
mouth and round his neck. Then she ran out and
found Gore at the door. He had come back again,
and missus Gilroy said she accused him. She then stated
in her diary that she looked upon Bernard as an
accessory after the fact he had hired Giuseppe Tolomeo to
(14:45):
kill his grandfather and then came to see if the
deed had been executed thoroughly. Missus Gilroy ended her diary
by stating that she would do her best to get
both the Italian and his nephew hanged. Very much of
oblige to her, said Bernard. When Conniston concluded reading and
beginning to walk to and fro well, it seems my
(15:06):
uncle is the guilty person, Conniston. I don't believe it,
said Dick firmly. Missus Gilroy is trying to shield her son.
I believe he killed him. If we could only find Michael,
said Bernard dolefully. Ah, things would soon be put right, then,
replied Conniston. And neither was aware that the man they
(15:27):
wished to see was at that very moment lying in
the turret chamber at the bower, or even Missus Gilroy,
could we see her and show her the diary, she
might put things straight. I believe she left the diary
behind on purpose, said Gore with some ill humor. I
can't believe that Tolomeo killed Sir Simon. What kind of
man is he? A very decent chap in his own way.
(15:50):
His blood is hot, and he has a temper something
like the one I have inherited from my mother, who
was Guiseppe's sister. But Tolomeo is not half bad. He
has the credit for being a scamp, but I don't
think he deserves it. Can't you see him and show
him the diary? No, I don't know his whereabouts. However, Durham,
(16:10):
at my request, has put an advertisement in the papers
which may bring him to the office. Then we can
see how much of this story is true. Certainly Missus
Gilroy may have seen him at the house on that night.
What would he go for to ask my grandfather for money?
He was always hard up. Sir Simon hated him, But
if Giuseppe was hard up, he wouldn't mind that. I
(16:31):
dare say Totolomeo did see Sir Simon and did have
a row, as both he and grandfather were hot blooded.
But I don't believe my uncle killed Sir Simon, said Bernard,
striking the table well drawled Conniston, slipping his prescis in
the diary itself into an envelope. I don't see what
he had to gain. Tolomeo, from your account of him,
(16:53):
would not commit a murder without getting some money from
doing it. But the best thing to do is to
take this up to Durham and see what he thinks.
I'll come too, said Gore excitedly. I tell you, Dick,
I'm dead tired of doing nothing. It will be better
to do what miss Berengaria suggests and give myself up.
Wait a bit persuaded, Dick, let me take this up
(17:13):
to Durham, and if he agrees, you can be arrested.
Bernard was unwilling to wait, but finally he yielded sullenly
to Conniston's arguments. Dick, with the precious parcel, went up
to town alone, and Bernard did what he could to
be patient. End of Chapter seventeen, recording by Craig Kenneth
(17:35):
Bryant
Chapter seventeen of The Red Window. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by Craig Kenneth Bryant. The Red Window by Fergus Hume,
(00:22):
Chapter seventeen the Diary. Before Miss Berengaria could communicate with Durham,
he had left the castle for town. On hearing this
from Bernard, the old lady at once sent up to
him a full report of the arrival of Michael at
the Bower under the name of Gore. He is now
a trifle better, wrote Miss Berengaria, but having suffered from
(00:43):
great privations, he is still ill, and, so far as
I can see, is likely to keep to his bed
for some time. Payne is attending to him and says
he needs careful nursing and tonics. He is so weak
as to be scarcely able to walk, which is perhaps
all the better. As Alice and I might are rouse
his suspicions. We have accepted him as Bernard, and when
(01:04):
you come down you can question him either in that
character or as Michael. To tell you the truth, I
am sorry for the boy. He is only twenty one
or thereabouts, and I think he has been misguided after all,
even he may not have committed the crime, although he
certainly was with Sir Simon on that fatal night. The servants,
with the exception of my own especial maid Maria Tate,
(01:25):
know nothing of the man's presence in the turret chamber,
and you may be sure that I am taking care.
Jerry Moon learns nothing, but I shall be glad when
you can come down to take the matter out of
my hands. I am much worried over it. Conniston comes
over daily to see Lucy Randolph at the hall, but
he is so feather brained a creature that I don't
care about entrusting such a secret to him, Nor do
(01:47):
I wish Bernard to know. With his impetuosity, he would
probably come over at once and run the chance of arrest.
The whole matter is in your hands, Durham, so write
and tell me what I am to do. At all events.
I have a fast hold of Bernard's double and you
may be sure I shall not allow him to go
until this mystery is cleared up. In reply to this
(02:07):
pressing epistle, Durham wrote, telling Miss Berengaria to wait for
three or four days. He was advertising for Tolomeo and
hoped to see him at his office. If, as Durham thought,
the Italian had been with Sir Simon on that night,
something might be learned from him likely to prove the
presence of Michael in the room. The examination of Michael,
which Durham proposed to make, would then be rendered much easier.
(02:31):
The lawyer, in conclusion, quite agreed with Miss Plantagenet that
Conniston and Bernard should not be told. I hope to
be with you by the end of the week. He finished.
Deuce take the man, said Miss Berengaria, rubbing her nose.
Does he think I can wait all that time? I
don't see what else you can do, aunt, said Alice,
when the letter was read. And this poor creature is
(02:52):
so weak that I do not think he will be
able to speak much for a few days. All we
have to do is nurse him and ask no questions,
and to let him think we believe him to be Bernard. Oh,
he is quite convinced of that, said Alice quickly. I
suppose he hoped I would think his altered looks might
induce me to overlook any lack of resemblance to Bernard. Yes,
(03:14):
but he must guess when you talk you will find
him out, seeing how you know much of Bernard that
he cannot know. Perhaps that is why he holds his tongue,
said Alice rising. But we must wait, Aunt, I suppose
we must, said Miss Berengaria dolefully drat the whole business.
Was there ever such a coil? Well, then, Aunt, will
you leave it alone? Certainly not? I intend to see
(03:36):
the thing through, owing to my reticence to Sir Simon
about your parents, Alice, I am really responsible for the
whole business. So I will keep working at it until
Bernard is out of danger and married to you, Ah,
sighed Miss Malleson. And when will that be? Sooner than
you think? Perhaps every day brings a surprise. One day
(03:58):
certainly brought a surprise to Lucie Randolph. She learned that
Conniston loved her, though to be sure, his frequent visits
might have shown her how he was losing his heart.
She was glad of this, as she admired Conniston exceedingly
and moreover wished to escape from her awkward position at
the hall. When Bernard came back and married Alice, she
would have to leave the hall and live on the
(04:19):
small income allotted to her by the generosity of the
dead man. It would be much better, as she truly thought,
to marry Conniston, even though he was the poorest of peers.
One can do a lot with a title even without money,
and Lucy was wise in her generation. Moreover, she was
truly in love with the young man and thought very
rightly that he would make her a good husband. As usual, Conniston,
(04:43):
having taken into his head that Lucy would be an
ideal wife, pursued his suit with characteristic impetuosity. He came
over daily or almost daily to Gore Hall, and finally,
when Lucy broke off her engagement to Beryl, he told
her of the whereabouts of Bernard. Lucy was overwhelmed and
delighted to think that he should be alive after all,
(05:03):
She said, I am so pleased, so glad, dear Bernard.
Now he will be able to enjoy the fortune and
the title and marry Alice. You forget, said Conniston a
trifle dryly. Bernard has yet to prove his innocence. We
are all trying to help him. Will you also give
a hand, Miss Randolph. Lucy stared at him with widely
(05:24):
open eyes. Of course I will, Lord Conniston, she said, heartily,
What do you wish me to do in the first place?
Tell me if you sent a boy to bring Bernard
to crime A Square. No, I know the boy you mean.
He is a lad called Jerry Moon. Julius found him
selling matches in town, ragged and poor. He helped him,
(05:44):
and the other day he procured him a situation with
Miss Berengaria. He is there now, but he, we have
reason to believe, is the boy who lured Bernard to
crime A Square. I know nothing about that, said Lucy, frankly.
Why I ask the boy himself? It would be easy.
We will ask the boy, shortly, replied Conniston, evasively, not
(06:06):
wishing at this juncture to tell her that the great
object of every one was to prevent Jerry thinking he
was suspected. Should you meet the boy, say nothing to him.
I will not, and I am not likely to meet
the boy. He is usually in Miss Plantagenet's poultry yard,
and I rarely go round there. Lucy paused, it is
strange that the boy should act like that. I wonder
(06:27):
if Sir Simon sent him to fetch Bernard and arranged
the red window as a sign which house it was
the red window? Ah? Yes, Missus Webber saw the light
and Julius afterwards, didn't I know that it was my fault.
When we drove up in the carriage on that terrible night,
I saw the red light and wondered if Sir Simon
(06:49):
had arranged it as a sign to Bernard. When I
saw Bernard in the hall, I was not astonished, for
I thought he had come in answer to the light.
I went upstairs, and after attending to Sir Simon, I
went to the window. The lamp was before it, and
stretched across the pane was a red bandanna handkerchief of
Sir Simon's. I took that away, so you see how
(07:09):
it was. Julius did not see the light. Why did
you remove the handkerchief, asked the puzzled Conniston. Well. I
wanted to save Bernard if possible, and I thought if
the red light which had drawn him were removed, he
could make some excuse. Julius knew about the red light,
and as he hated Bernard, I fancied he would use
it against him. But really added Miss Randolph, wrinkling her
(07:31):
pretty brows. I hardly knew what I was doing, save
that in some vague way I fancied the removal of
the handkerchief might help Bernard. Is that clear? Perfectly clear?
Said Conniston, And I am glad I know this. May
I tell Bernard and Durham. Certainly I want to do
all I can to help Bernard. Ah, you are a
good woman, said Conniston eagerly. I wonder if you could
(07:55):
make a chap good. It depends on the chap, said Lucy, shyly.
I know a chap who. Please stop, Lord Conniston cried Lucy,
starting up in confusion. I have heaps and heaps to do.
You prevent my working. Her hurried flight prevented Conniston from
putting the question on that occasion, but he was not daunted.
(08:15):
He resolved to propose as soon as possible, But Lucy
thought he was making love too ardently, and by those
arts known to women alone, she managed to keep him
at arm's length. She was anxious that Bernard should be cleared,
that he should take up his rightful position and should
receive back the hall from her. Before Lord Conniston proposed,
(08:36):
of course, Lucy was ready to accept him, but sure
of her fish, she played with him until such time
as she felt disposed to accept his hand and heart
and title and what remained of the west fortune. Conniston,
more determined than ever to win this adorable woman, came
over regularly, but Lucy skillfully kept him off the dangerous ground,
(08:58):
whereby he fell deeper in love than ever. Then one
day she appeared with a blue covered book, the contents
of which so startled them that love making was postponed
to a more convenient season. Fancy, said Lucy, running to
meet Conniston one afternoon, as soon as he appeared at
the drawing room door. I have found the diary of
(09:21):
missus Gilroy. That's a good thing, said Conniston eagerly. She
knows more of the truth than anyone else. We must
read her diary. Will that be honorable, said Lucy, retaining
her hold of the book perfectly. One does not stand
on ceremony when a man's neck is at stake. Missus
Gilroy's diary may save Bernard's life. She knew too much
(09:41):
about the murder and fled because she thought Durham would
come and question her. Oh was that why she ran away? Yes,
a woman like Missus Gilroy does not take such a
course for nothing. She's a clever woman and a very
disagreeable woman, said Lucy emphatically. But what did she know?
Conniston wriggled uneasily. He was not quite certain whether he
(10:04):
ought to tell Lucy all that had been discovered, and
had he not been in love with her, he probably
would have held his tongue, But after some reflection he
decided to speak out. You are, of course on Bernard's side,
he said, yes, and against Julius, who hates Bernard. I
will do anything I can to help Bernard. I am
sure you can see that, She added, in an almost
(10:25):
reproachful manner. I know, I know you are the truest
and best woman in the world, said Conniston eagerly. But
what I have to tell you is not my own secret.
It concerns Bernard. Then don't tell me, said Lucy, coloring angrily. Yes,
I will. You have the diary and I want to
(10:46):
read it to know why I do. It is necessary
that you should learn all that we have discovered. What
have you discovered? Who killed Sir Simon? No, we are
trying to hunt down the assassin, and missus Gilroy's diary
may tell us. I don't see that. You will when
you learn what I have to say. And Conniston related
(11:08):
everything concerning the false marriage and the half brother of
young Gore. And now you see, he finished triumphantly. Missus
Gilroy is fighting for her son. It is probable that
she has set down the events of that night in
her diary. She would not be such a fool if
her son is guilty. Oh, people do all manner of
queer things. Criminals who are very secretive in speech sometimes
(11:30):
give themselves away in writing. You were at the theater
on that night, yes, with Julius, So neither of us
had anything to do with the matter. If that is
what you mean, I mean nothing of the sort, said
Conniston quickly. How can you think I should suspect you?
You might suspect Julius, said Lucy suspiciously. And although we
have quarreled, I don't want to harm him. Would you
(11:51):
rather have Bernard hanged? Oh? Lucy burst into tears and
impulsively threw the book into Conniston's lap. Read it at once.
I would rather save Bernard than Julius. Conniston availed himself
of this permission at once. He took away the diary
with Lucy's permission, and carried it in triumph to the castle.
Here he and Bernard sat down to master its contents.
(12:14):
These astonished them considerably. Conniston made out a short and
concise account of the events of that fatal night for
the benefit of Durham. They were as follows, Missus Gilroy,
it appears thought that her son Michael was really and
truly in America. She had no suspicion that the lover
of Jane Arden was her son, but truly believed from
(12:35):
the description that he was young Gore, whom she hated,
as she plainly stated in several pages. When the presumed
Bernard went away before six, he did not call again.
At ten o'clock the man that called Missus Gilroy asserted
was Bernard and not her son. He saw Sir Simon,
and after a stormy interview he departed. Why then doesn't
(12:56):
she accuse me of the crime, said Gore, bit said Conniston,
who was reading his precie. This diary is meant for
her eye alone. Still she may have thought it might
fall into the hands of another person, and therefore made
her son safe. Michael called before Tin for then Bernard,
you were with Durham and myself. Michael saw Sir Simon,
(13:17):
and then Missus Gilroy, pretending the man was you, says
he departed, leaving your grandfather alive. See here's the bit,
and he read Sir Simon was alive. After mister Gore
left the house, go on, said Bernard. If I am innocent,
why did she accuse me? Because I believe her son
is guilty. He left Sir Simon dead. Missus Gilroy found
(13:40):
the body, knew what had occurred, and then ran out
on hearing Jerry's whistle, knowing she would meet you. It's
all plain, very plain, said Gore emphatically, A regular trap.
Go on afterwards, and shortly before a quarter past ten,
there came a ring at the door. Missus Gilroy went,
and there she found Signor Tolomeo, who asked to see
(14:03):
Sir Simon. She took him up the stairs and left
him to speak with Sir Simon. What took place she
did not know, But she was sitting below working and
heard the door close. It was just before a quarter
to eleven that she heard this. About the time I came,
muttered Bernard. Missus Gilroy as appeared from the diary ran
(14:23):
up to see if the master was all right. She
found him strangled and with the handkerchiefs tied over his
mouth and round his neck. Then she ran out and
found Gore at the door. He had come back again,
and missus Gilroy said she accused him. She then stated
in her diary that she looked upon Bernard as an
accessory after the fact he had hired Giuseppe Tolomeo to
(14:45):
kill his grandfather and then came to see if the
deed had been executed thoroughly. Missus Gilroy ended her diary
by stating that she would do her best to get
both the Italian and his nephew hanged. Very much of
oblige to her, said Bernard. When Conniston concluded reading and
beginning to walk to and fro well, it seems my
(15:06):
uncle is the guilty person, Conniston. I don't believe it,
said Dick firmly. Missus Gilroy is trying to shield her son.
I believe he killed him. If we could only find Michael,
said Bernard dolefully. Ah, things would soon be put right, then,
replied Conniston. And neither was aware that the man they
(15:27):
wished to see was at that very moment lying in
the turret chamber at the bower, or even Missus Gilroy,
could we see her and show her the diary, she
might put things straight. I believe she left the diary
behind on purpose, said Gore with some ill humor. I
can't believe that Tolomeo killed Sir Simon. What kind of
man is he? A very decent chap in his own way.
(15:50):
His blood is hot, and he has a temper something
like the one I have inherited from my mother, who
was Guiseppe's sister. But Tolomeo is not half bad. He
has the credit for being a scamp, but I don't
think he deserves it. Can't you see him and show
him the diary? No, I don't know his whereabouts. However, Durham,
(16:10):
at my request, has put an advertisement in the papers
which may bring him to the office. Then we can
see how much of this story is true. Certainly Missus
Gilroy may have seen him at the house on that night.
What would he go for to ask my grandfather for money?
He was always hard up. Sir Simon hated him, But
if Giuseppe was hard up, he wouldn't mind that. I
(16:31):
dare say Totolomeo did see Sir Simon and did have
a row, as both he and grandfather were hot blooded.
But I don't believe my uncle killed Sir Simon, said Bernard,
striking the table well drawled Conniston, slipping his prescis in
the diary itself into an envelope. I don't see what
he had to gain. Tolomeo, from your account of him,
(16:53):
would not commit a murder without getting some money from
doing it. But the best thing to do is to
take this up to Durham and see what he thinks.
I'll come too, said Gore excitedly. I tell you, Dick,
I'm dead tired of doing nothing. It will be better
to do what miss Berengaria suggests and give myself up.
Wait a bit persuaded, Dick, let me take this up
(17:13):
to Durham, and if he agrees, you can be arrested.
Bernard was unwilling to wait, but finally he yielded sullenly
to Conniston's arguments. Dick, with the precious parcel, went up
to town alone, and Bernard did what he could to
be patient. End of Chapter seventeen, recording by Craig Kenneth
(17:35):
Bryant
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