June 10, 2025 • 34 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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Chapter twenty 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
(00:21):
by Francois The Red Window by Foggius Hume, Chapter twenty
a confession. At the request of Miss Berengaria, Durrance stopped
to dinner, but not even the necessity of keeping Julius
in a false paradise could make the old lady extend
(00:42):
the invitation to him. Beryl did not mind. He knew
perfectly well that he was no favorite with Miss Plantagenet,
and often wondered why she was supolite to him. A
scoundrel himself, Julius was always suspicious of others, and constantly
strove to learn why Miss Berengaria, whose honest character he knew,
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displayed such cutsy towards him. Then he thought it was
because Bernard being in her house, she was afraid lest
he should be arrested through the instrumentality of his cousin,
should not tact be shown. Julius departed quite satisfied in
his own mind that he had solved the problem of
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Miss Plantagenet's behavior. Had he knowed the real reason, he
would not have gone away so complacantly. Before departing, Celius
saw Jerry and told him, amongst other things, that he
would have to leave Miss Plantagenet because of his having
meddled with matters which did not concern him. During the interview,
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Miss Berengaria came along and the matter was explained to her.
She refused to allow Beryl to interfere on your own
precious business, young man. She said, I'm quite able to
look after the boy myself, but he has behaved badly,
urged Julius meekly. So he has, and I'd give him
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a good whipping. However, I'm not going to dismiss him
for this. Cherry, go to the kitchen and man you
peas and new cues, or I know the reason why.
And now, mister Beryl, the old lady dropped a grim
curtsy good bye. Jelious departed, smiling and in no wise
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offended at the grimness of Miss Berengaria. I'll soon be
able to do without a lot of them, he thought,
as he walked to the railway station. Once he estayed,
is in my possession, and I'll keep away from this place, Lucy.
We'll have to turn out of the hall, as I
won't have her stopping after the way in which he
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has treated me. I believe she in love with that
bounder of a Coniston, however, he added animatically, I know
my own knowing. He didn't know Durhams, however, and would
have been considerably agitated had he learned what that gentleman
said to the two ladies after his departure, not only
(03:20):
to them, but to Lord Conniston himself. That young gentleman
arrived with Lucy shortly before dinner. Lucy had come over
to the meal, and Conniston, on his way back to
Bernard at the castle, thought he would drop him. Of course,
as the astute lover intending he was asked to dinner.
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The meal passed off excellently as everyone was in good spirits.
The lawyer had hinted that Bernard would soon be free
and promised to tell the company all that he had
discovered after dinner. When the meal was ending, they all
went back to the drawing room and sat round the
solicitor who commences his recital. Prior to starting, Miss Berengia
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went up to see Michael and returned, stating that he
was much better. I believe he will get well, she said,
of course, observed the lawyer. Ironically, the comedy is nearly
at an end. The will has been signed. Now Michael
will disappear to allow Beryl to get the estates. He
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will have to supply a corpse, then, said Conniston coolly.
Oh I dare say, will, rejoined Durham, shrugging. After the
disappearance of Michael, I know exactly what will happen. A body,
much decomposed will be found in the Thames and will
be recognized by Julius as that of Burnet's. Any corpse
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will do so long as the face cannot be recognized.
Trap the man, said Miss Berengaria emphatically. He can't get
a corpse without murdering some one, and I should think
that Beryl Creacha said enough of that sort of work.
Oh but Julius did not kill Sir Simon, said Lucy
(05:18):
with dismay. He was at the theater with me and
Missus Webber, so I believe, said Durham dryly. But tell me,
Miss Vandolph, did helive? You were told during the play,
not till the last act, said Lucy, then he went
to get something to drink, and returned before the end
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of the play to take us away. How long was
he absent? Nearly half an hour, He said he had
met a friend and had been talking to him. Ah,
very clever of him, well, said Durham, looking round, I
have something to tell you all. We are friends of Bernards,
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are we not? Certainly, said Miss Berengaria sharply, And I
know what you're going to tell us. This Beryl creature
murdered Sir Simon when he was away from the theater. Impossible,
said Lucy and Alice in one breath. He could scarcely
have done it in half an hour, said Niston. But
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he did all that, said Durham. Remember the Curtain theater
is only ten minutes walk from Crimer Square. Beryl could
easilessly prownd and strangle Sir Simon as he did. I
knew it, cried Miss Berengaria, triumphantly. Tell us about it, Durham. Ah,
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we'll see the reptile dancing on nothing, oh aunt, said Alice,
Turning pale. Miss Plantagenet remonstrated, Lucy, don't speak like that.
I do not like Julius and broke my engagement. I
think he's trucky and has no principle, but I don't
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think he would. Oh yes, he would, contradicted the old
lady taking a pinch of snuff. Beaar, don't talk to me.
Liar and rogue, murder and thief all written all over him.
My dear girls, the man is a danger to society.
I want to see him angered. He would have hangered Bernard.
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That's true enough, said Conniston, But for the sake of
the family, I don't want to see Julius hangered. So
long as he tells the truth and lets Bernard take
his place in society. I don't care. He won't let
Bernard take his place in society, insisted Miss Berengaria quietly.
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I dare, sir, I'm vindictive, but that young reptile ah.
She shuddered and took another pinch of snuff. Are you
sure he is guilty, asked Lucy timidly. Quite sure, said
Durham gravely. I have evidence, and he produced a handkerchief.
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Tell us all about it, Durham said Miss Plantagenet briskly.
The sooner we'll learn the truth, the better. I am
getting very tired of this connection. With the police court.
I've read detective novels, added the old lady emphatically, and
I never liked them to have one in real life.
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And under my respectable roof is more than I can bear. Durham,
you have an hour before you need catch a train.
Tell us all. Then you can clear out and new
Coniston can go also, Lucy, I shall send Jerry back
to the hall with you. No, please not, Jerry, said Lucy.
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Here is a scam, replied Miss Berengaria. After a pause, well,
well we shall see meantime. Frees our blood, Durham. This
the lawyer proceeded to amids a dead silence. No one
interrupted him until his recital was ended. To make things clear,
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he narrated his discoveries from the very beginning, and recounted
his interview with Missus Gilroy, with Stolommeo and with Berwel.
At the end of his story, every one looked at
one another. Lucy shuddered and hid her face, overwhelmed by
the discovery of the wickedness of the man she had
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been engaged to. Alice was quite pale, thinking of the
nets in which Bernard had been caught and which were
now on the eve of being broken that he might escape,
Conniston said a word under his breath, not exactly fitted
for the drawing room, but which was overheard by Miss
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Berengaria and approved by that lady. Thank you, Conniston, she said,
taking a pinch of snuff with relish. Never tell me
that I am not a judge of character. I knew
that Scamp was the murderer ages Ago, I said, so now,
She addressed Durham with a suddenness which made him jump.
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What's to be done? I intend to have Beryl arrested,
and then I shall make Bernard give himself up. The
whole case must be tried in court. Also, I shall
have Michael arrested. But why if he is innocent, My
dear Miss Plantagenet, said the lawyer slowly. Missus Gilroy is
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an important witness in this case. She is hiding. As
soon as she sees that her son is arrested and
in danger of being condemned an accessory before the fact,
she will come out and give evidence to show that
he acted merrily as the tool of Beryl. In a word,
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she will save him, which is four or five words. Well, Durham,
I don't say, But what you're right, and if good, gracious,
what's that? This was the sudden entrance of Maria, looking pale.
She hurried up to her mistress and caught her. Rum Oh, ma'am,
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come to see that poor gentleman. She said, he is
very ill. I don't know what's the matter. Neither Miss
Berengaria nor the others were startled. It was to be
expected that Michael would have frequent lapses in his illness.
The old lady rose at once to the occasion. Send
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Jerry at once for doctor Payne. She said, sharply, please, ma'am,
Jerry has left the house. Left the house. What do
you mean, Mariah explained, I haven't seen Cherry since six o'clock,
she declared. He brought me up the cup of tea
you ordered for the poor sick gentleman. I ordered no tea,
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said Miss Berengia, with uneasiness. Cherry said you did, ma'am,
persisted the man. He brought it to me and said
you wished the gentleman to drink it at once. He
waited while the gentleman did so, and then said he
would tell you. I forgot to mention it, ma'am. When
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you came up after dinner. Durham nodded significantly and rose,
I will go for doctor Payne, he said, walking to
the door. Is the gentleman ill, very sir, He says
he has a burning pain in his stomach. Duram nodded
again and glanced at the old lady. Were right, he
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said gravely, there is something wrong, and he disappeared to
fetch the doctor. Where is Jerry gone, asked Miss Berengaria.
I don't know, ma'am. James said, he went out at
half past six with his bag, complaining you had sent
him away. Jam should have stopped him, or have told
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me so, he says, ma'am. Now when it's too late,
said the angry Miss Berengaria. Alice, come with me, Coniston,
you can wait here with Miss Randolph. And before the
couple could say a word, the old lady hurried out
of the room, followed by Alice. Both were oppressed by
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a sense of anxiety. Michael was very ill and in
great pain. Setting up in bed. He was pressing both
hands to his stomach and moaning, oh, give me water, water,
he entreated. When the women appeared, I'm dying of thirst,
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while Miss Berengia gave him drink. Alice looked into the
teacup which tails stood on the table beside the bed.
At the bottom there was a white sediment. Something has
been given to you in your teeth, she said, turning pale.
It was some time after drinking the tea that I
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felt ill, moaned Michael, rocking turned through. Oh I suffer,
Cherry brought the tea, began Miss Plantagenet, when Michael interrupted
her with a scream. Cherry, Cherry, his peril's work. Cherry
did anything, he told him. I believe he has presogined
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me calling up, calling up. Cher has gone away, said
Miss Berengaria. Very pale, lost, lost, moaned Michael. Ah, this
was why he made me sign the will. This was why,
Oh heavens, Oh, I suffer, suffer the pain, the pain,
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Help me, help me. I'm poisoned. Both the terrified women
looked at one another, for even Miss Berengia, strong minded
as she was, felt her nerve give way under the
unexpected catastrophe. Then Alice advanced to the bedside, and from
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sheer force of abbot, addressed Michael by the false name
he had assumed, Bernard. I'm not Bernard, he screamed, rocking
and rocking. I will confess all. I'm a dead man.
Beryl won't give me the money now. He wants it
all to himself. He has made Jerry poison me. I'm
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to die as Sir Simon died. I'm lost, lost, lost,
Oh what a wicked man I have been. Make atonement
while you can, said Miss Berengia, taking swift advantage of
the opportunity. Listen, we have known for some time that
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you are not Bernard Gore. Aunt Michael paid no attention,
but kept on rocking in an agony of pain. Help
me save me, he moaned. Oh, great Heavens, pain will
be here. Directly, said the old lady Mariah. The man
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was in room at this time. Go down and bring
up some boiling water. We will apply hot flannels to
his stomach. Meanwhile, said Alice, when the maid ran out,
tell us about yourself. Michael, Michael, Michael, he muttered, with
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the perspiration beading his brow. You know my name. I
thought you took me for Gore. Neither Bernard Gore is alive.
We pretended to believe you so that in the end
you might be induced to confess, And now you have
poisoned me. Certainly not, cried Miss Plantagenet. Quickly. Jerry gave
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you the cup of tea. He said, you told him
to bring it up. I didn't. He brought it up
himself and has now left the house. As soon as
he knew you had drunk it, he left her house.
And now that I remember, added Miss Berengia sharply, Beryl
was talking privately to the boy before he went away. Yes, yes,
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it is Beryl who has done this. Oh, I will
confess all. It was Beryl who killed Sir Simon. We
know that. And ah a Spayne doctor. I am glad
you have come. Do you know I know a great deal?
Said Payne. Mister Durham talked to me while we drove along.
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He met me half way to Huston. Come we must
get to work, he asked Alice and Durham, who had
entered to leave the room and began to attend to
the wretched man. Maria came up with hot water and
then hurried down for oil and mustard. Payne took up
the cup which Miss Berengaria pointed out, and examined it.
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He touched the sediment with the tip of his finger
and tasted it arsenic, said he good lord, cried the
old lady, sitting down heavily, and in my own house. Doctor,
that boy must be arrested. Are you sure certain arsening
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has been administered? That is why he feels these burning pains.
Give me the oil and mustard. We must gave him
an emetic so that he might get rid of the poison.
We may save him. Yet you must save him, cried
Miss Berengaria, lending her hand readily for his evidence is
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needed to convict Beryl of murder. Mister Durham told me
something of this, but not all, said Payne, going on
with the business. Go down and leave the man to
me for a time, Miss Berengaria, I will call you
when he is better. By this time, Michael was almost
insensible with spain, but Miss Plantagenet left the room at once.
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Hurrying down to the drawing room, she found the four
young people waiting there with scared faces. Even Durham was
startled by the expedition with which Julius had carried out
his plan of writing himself of an undesirable witness. So
is a fool, said the lawyer, and fa Tickery. He
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should have made Jerry wait for a few days, and
to use such an obvious poison, said Miss Berengaria. It
is arsenic that has been administered. Michael will confess now, though,
said Alice. I do hope he won't die. Mister Durham,
Where are you going to the Houston Telegraph office. The
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doctor's trap is at the door. Now. I wish to
wire to Scantlon yard so that Jerry may be caught.
Don't go, implored Alice. At any time Michael may be
able to speak, and I wish you to write down
his confession. I will go, said Conniston, jumping up, ride
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down the wire, Durham. The sooner Jerry is trucked, the
better we shall catch Jerlius. Yet I only hope we'll
save Michael, muttered Durham, going to Miss Plantagenet's desk. Come here, Canniston.
When the wire was written, and a long one it was,
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Conniston made free with pain strap and drove to Hurston,
where he sent it at once to London. Meantime, those
in the drawing room talked over the matter and waited
to hear from the doctor. After an hour he made
his appearance. He's bitter, he announced the masterd and All
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made him sick. I think he's got rid of the poison.
He wants to see you, mister Durham. I'll go at once,
said the lawyer, while Alice clasped her hands, but Payne
stopped him. No, I want the man to have a
short sleep first, he said, and I am returning to
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watch beside him. I will rang the bell when he
is better and able to speak. It was late that night,
or rather early next morning before the household retired. Miss Berengaria,
thinking the servants had better not know as little as possible,
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sent them to bed, retaining only Maria to wait on
her personally. Then Conniston returned and the five sat in
the drawing room talking. About two in the morning, the
bell in the turret chamber was heard to ring. Durham
with writing materials hastened up at once. Alice wanted to go,
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but Miss Berengia made her stop. Then she sent Coniston
to the hall to tell any servant who was waiting
up that Miss Vandolph would remain that night at the bower,
and when you return you can sleep also, she said.
Durham found Michael better but weak. He was lying back
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and his pillows in an almost exhausted condition, and pain
was feeling his purse. I wanted him to wait till
the dawn, said the doctor, but insistent speaking. I might die,
said Michael, his eyes large and bright and his voice hoarse.
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I want my revenge on this man who tried to
poison me. Are you sure, Beryl? I am quite sure.
Jerry brought up the tea and asked Nick was in it.
I know Beryl wanted to get all the estate to himself.
Tell me, Michael looked anxiously towards Durham. Is gore alive? Yes,
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Miss Mason and Miss Plantagenet knew you were Michael Girol
as soon as you came, and they fooled me. They did,
admitted Durham promptly. And I did also. I allowed you
to make that false weell so as to trap Beryl
ah and he will be trapped and angered, said the
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boy bitterly. I only hope he'll be alive to see
him swing, mister Durham, said Payne, removing his finger from
the patient's pulse. If you want to hear this confession,
you'd better get to work at once. I cannot allow
him to talk long I'll begin, said Michael, in a
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stronger voice, and without further tramble. He began to talk
in a slow, monotonous voice, almost without a pause. Durham
took down his words swiftly. My name is Michael Gilroy,
said the lad quietly. I am the son of watergre
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the father of Bernard and of Missus Gilroy, who was
the housekeeper at the hall. My father deceived her by
a false marriage as at the time, although my mother
did not know, he was already married to a Signora Tolomeo.
Are you sure that, asked Duram. Your mother said, I know,
(25:10):
I know, but she is wrong. She wanted to make
me out the air. But I'm three years younger than
my half brother. It was a false marriage. When my
mother discovered the truth, she went to America with me.
My father allowed us an income. When he died. My
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mother was starving with me in New York. She came
to this country and saw my grandfather, Sir Simon, in London.
He heard a story and was sorry for her. Then
he offered her the post of housekeeper at the hall
and promised to provide for her after his death. But
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he would only assist her on condition that I was
sent back to the States. I returned, and my mother
kept me out of her wages. She has been a
good mother to me. Take this, said Payne, holding wine
to his lips, for his voice was growing weaker. Michael
(26:12):
drank and continued at once. My mother had an idea
of making me the air, but as I told her
that was impossible. She had told Sir Simon too much.
At first, I remained in the States till I was
over twenty. Then I came to England. Sir Simon got
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me a post in the city. I did not like
the work. I idled. He often assisted me. I behaved
very badly. I know that, said Durham, pausing in his writing.
You forge a check made payable to Bernard Gore. Michael
laughed weakly. I did. He said I wanted money, and
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I got a thousand pounds by that. How is it
that you are so poor because Beryl took the money
from me. He wanted money also, and he threatened to
have me arrested for the murder if I did not
give him all. I spent very little of it. He
took all and then left me to starve. I came
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here and wait a bit, I want to know about
your own personation of Gore. That was Beryl's idea. Also,
he met me in the city as Sir Simon one
day sent him to pay me money. He was struck
by my likeness to my half brother, and even then
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he resolved to make use of me. But there was
no chance until Bernard quarreled with Sir Simon. Then Beryl
found that Gore had enlisted in the Imperial Humanry. He
told me that Sir Simon was coming to town to
live in crime A Square, and he was afraid lest
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he should become reconciled to Bernard. Beryl, knowing how proud
Sir Simon was, persuaded me to impersonate Bernard by dressing
up as an Imperial yeoman, and arranged that I should
make love to her housemaid so as to get into
the house yes, and so as to let the fact
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get to Sir Simon's ears. Beryl thought that if Sir
Simon knew that Bernard was making love to a servant,
he would cussing off for ever. Well, I did make
the acquaintance of the housemaid and visited at the house
keeping well out of sight of my mother. She did
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not know you were there. No, whenever she was hurt coming,
I got out of the way. She rarely thought, from
Jane's description that I was my half brother. When did
you forge the check? Years before I met Jane, at
the beginning of October, Beryl and I both wanted the money.
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I could imitate Bernard's writing, as Beryl got me some
letters of his. I forged the check and got the money.
Then Beryl afterwards took it from me. Indeed, Sir Simon,
no other forgery, said Durham, thinking of what had been
said to him by Toromeo. I'm coming to that, went
(29:29):
on Michael, after another drink of wine. I visited at
the house, as I said, and Sir Simon came to
know that as he thought Bernard was about the place.
He sat down on the evening of the committel of
the crime to ask me up. I was afraid, and
I ran away. Why did you return before ten? Ah?
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You know that, do you, said Michael, with a weak smile.
I returned because it's struck me that there might be
some difficulty about the check, and I thought I would
see Sir Simon about it myself. I fancied he might
have me arrested. On the other hand, I thought he
might truly think I was Bernard, and then that would
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assist Beryl's plans for keeping him out of the property.
I came to the house just after ten. My mother
opened the door. When she saw me, she ordered me away.
I refused to go. Why was that? Michael hesitated for
a moment. I have not told you my real reason
(30:39):
for coming, he said at lance. It was Beryl's plan.
He arranged to go to the theater and that I
should come to the house At the time I saw him,
between six and eight. He told me that he would
send Jerry to lure Bernard to the Crimer Square house.
(30:59):
How did he know where Bernard was? He kept a
watch on Bernard through Jerry. It was arranged that I
should see Sir Simon and make things safe for myself
about the check should there be any trouble. I thought
that was Beryl's plan at the time, said Michael restlessly.
But now I see that he intended murder. I was
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to go as Bernard, and when I left, the old
man was to be killed. Then Bernard, brought by Jerry,
would be on the spot and would be arrested, and
that is exactly what happened. I know, but I swear
I did not know it at the time, said Michael earnestly.
I rarely believed all was safed. Had I guessed that
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Beryl intended murder, I should not have gone to see
Sir Simon, but I did go. He knew about the
check and threatened to have me arrested. There was an
Italian hidden in the room. Sir Simon called him, and
when I saw him, I ran away. Why did you
do that? I thought he was a detective, and that
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Sir Simon intending to rest me at once, I ran
away and went home. That is all I know. Durham
was disappointed. But you surely know who killed no, interrupted Michael.
I suspected Beryl. I think he killed him, but I'm
not sure. Next day, when the murder was proclaimed and
(32:33):
it was that Bernard was drowned, Beryl came to me
and told me to lie quite in case I should
be arrested for the crime. He then took all my
money by threatening to have me arrested as the murderer.
But if you had told this story and used to
Lomeo as a witness, Tolomeo, who is he I know
(32:56):
no one of that name. He was the man you
took for detective. Well then, not knowing who he really was,
how could I have cleared myself? Beryl could have accused me.
Tolomeo could have cleared you. He was with Sir Simon
when you left, and Sir Simon was alive. What happened? Then?
(33:19):
I lay quiet? Then I grew afred and hid myself
in different places. Beryl found me out and persuaded me
to come here to personate Bernard and make a will.
He promised me that I should get half the money.
I intended to vanish when I made the will, and
(33:39):
then Beryl arranged to get the money somehow. But how
did you expect to deceive miss Melson? I didn't. I
intended to tell her the truth, as I was wary
of Beryl's tricks, But when I saw that she and
Miss Plantagenet took me for Bernt, I resolved to carry
(34:02):
on the plot. Then Beryl came and the will was signed.
You know the rest Michael's voice had been growing weaker
and weaker. Finally his eyes closed and he led his
head back on the pillow. He has fainted again, said Payne,
you must wait till he recovers for the signature and
(34:26):
of Chapter twenty
Chapter twenty 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
(00:21):
by Francois The Red Window by Foggius Hume, Chapter twenty
a confession. At the request of Miss Berengaria, Durrance stopped
to dinner, but not even the necessity of keeping Julius
in a false paradise could make the old lady extend
(00:42):
the invitation to him. Beryl did not mind. He knew
perfectly well that he was no favorite with Miss Plantagenet,
and often wondered why she was supolite to him. A
scoundrel himself, Julius was always suspicious of others, and constantly
strove to learn why Miss Berengaria, whose honest character he knew,
(01:06):
displayed such cutsy towards him. Then he thought it was
because Bernard being in her house, she was afraid lest
he should be arrested through the instrumentality of his cousin,
should not tact be shown. Julius departed quite satisfied in
his own mind that he had solved the problem of
(01:26):
Miss Plantagenet's behavior. Had he knowed the real reason, he
would not have gone away so complacantly. Before departing, Celius
saw Jerry and told him, amongst other things, that he
would have to leave Miss Plantagenet because of his having
meddled with matters which did not concern him. During the interview,
(01:50):
Miss Berengaria came along and the matter was explained to her.
She refused to allow Beryl to interfere on your own
precious business, young man. She said, I'm quite able to
look after the boy myself, but he has behaved badly,
urged Julius meekly. So he has, and I'd give him
(02:15):
a good whipping. However, I'm not going to dismiss him
for this. Cherry, go to the kitchen and man you
peas and new cues, or I know the reason why.
And now, mister Beryl, the old lady dropped a grim
curtsy good bye. Jelious departed, smiling and in no wise
(02:36):
offended at the grimness of Miss Berengaria. I'll soon be
able to do without a lot of them, he thought,
as he walked to the railway station. Once he estayed,
is in my possession, and I'll keep away from this place, Lucy.
We'll have to turn out of the hall, as I
won't have her stopping after the way in which he
(02:57):
has treated me. I believe she in love with that
bounder of a Coniston, however, he added animatically, I know
my own knowing. He didn't know Durhams, however, and would
have been considerably agitated had he learned what that gentleman
said to the two ladies after his departure, not only
(03:20):
to them, but to Lord Conniston himself. That young gentleman
arrived with Lucy shortly before dinner. Lucy had come over
to the meal, and Conniston, on his way back to
Bernard at the castle, thought he would drop him. Of course,
as the astute lover intending he was asked to dinner.
(03:44):
The meal passed off excellently as everyone was in good spirits.
The lawyer had hinted that Bernard would soon be free
and promised to tell the company all that he had
discovered after dinner. When the meal was ending, they all
went back to the drawing room and sat round the
solicitor who commences his recital. Prior to starting, Miss Berengia
(04:10):
went up to see Michael and returned, stating that he
was much better. I believe he will get well, she said,
of course, observed the lawyer. Ironically, the comedy is nearly
at an end. The will has been signed. Now Michael
will disappear to allow Beryl to get the estates. He
(04:34):
will have to supply a corpse, then, said Conniston coolly.
Oh I dare say, will, rejoined Durham, shrugging. After the
disappearance of Michael, I know exactly what will happen. A body,
much decomposed will be found in the Thames and will
be recognized by Julius as that of Burnet's. Any corpse
(04:56):
will do so long as the face cannot be recognized.
Trap the man, said Miss Berengaria emphatically. He can't get
a corpse without murdering some one, and I should think
that Beryl Creacha said enough of that sort of work.
Oh but Julius did not kill Sir Simon, said Lucy
(05:18):
with dismay. He was at the theater with me and
Missus Webber, so I believe, said Durham dryly. But tell me,
Miss Vandolph, did helive? You were told during the play,
not till the last act, said Lucy, then he went
to get something to drink, and returned before the end
(05:40):
of the play to take us away. How long was
he absent? Nearly half an hour, He said he had
met a friend and had been talking to him. Ah,
very clever of him, well, said Durham, looking round, I
have something to tell you all. We are friends of Bernards,
(06:00):
are we not? Certainly, said Miss Berengaria sharply, And I
know what you're going to tell us. This Beryl creature
murdered Sir Simon when he was away from the theater. Impossible,
said Lucy and Alice in one breath. He could scarcely
have done it in half an hour, said Niston. But
(06:24):
he did all that, said Durham. Remember the Curtain theater
is only ten minutes walk from Crimer Square. Beryl could
easilessly prownd and strangle Sir Simon as he did. I
knew it, cried Miss Berengaria, triumphantly. Tell us about it, Durham. Ah,
(06:46):
we'll see the reptile dancing on nothing, oh aunt, said Alice,
Turning pale. Miss Plantagenet remonstrated, Lucy, don't speak like that.
I do not like Julius and broke my engagement. I
think he's trucky and has no principle, but I don't
(07:08):
think he would. Oh yes, he would, contradicted the old
lady taking a pinch of snuff. Beaar, don't talk to me.
Liar and rogue, murder and thief all written all over him.
My dear girls, the man is a danger to society.
I want to see him angered. He would have hangered Bernard.
(07:33):
That's true enough, said Conniston, But for the sake of
the family, I don't want to see Julius hangered. So
long as he tells the truth and lets Bernard take
his place in society. I don't care. He won't let
Bernard take his place in society, insisted Miss Berengaria quietly.
(07:54):
I dare, sir, I'm vindictive, but that young reptile ah.
She shuddered and took another pinch of snuff. Are you
sure he is guilty, asked Lucy timidly. Quite sure, said
Durham gravely. I have evidence, and he produced a handkerchief.
(08:15):
Tell us all about it, Durham said Miss Plantagenet briskly.
The sooner we'll learn the truth, the better. I am
getting very tired of this connection. With the police court.
I've read detective novels, added the old lady emphatically, and
I never liked them to have one in real life.
(08:36):
And under my respectable roof is more than I can bear. Durham,
you have an hour before you need catch a train.
Tell us all. Then you can clear out and new
Coniston can go also, Lucy, I shall send Jerry back
to the hall with you. No, please not, Jerry, said Lucy.
(08:59):
Here is a scam, replied Miss Berengaria. After a pause, well,
well we shall see meantime. Frees our blood, Durham. This
the lawyer proceeded to amids a dead silence. No one
interrupted him until his recital was ended. To make things clear,
(09:20):
he narrated his discoveries from the very beginning, and recounted
his interview with Missus Gilroy, with Stolommeo and with Berwel.
At the end of his story, every one looked at
one another. Lucy shuddered and hid her face, overwhelmed by
the discovery of the wickedness of the man she had
(09:41):
been engaged to. Alice was quite pale, thinking of the
nets in which Bernard had been caught and which were
now on the eve of being broken that he might escape,
Conniston said a word under his breath, not exactly fitted
for the drawing room, but which was overheard by Miss
(10:02):
Berengaria and approved by that lady. Thank you, Conniston, she said,
taking a pinch of snuff with relish. Never tell me
that I am not a judge of character. I knew
that Scamp was the murderer ages Ago, I said, so now,
She addressed Durham with a suddenness which made him jump.
(10:26):
What's to be done? I intend to have Beryl arrested,
and then I shall make Bernard give himself up. The
whole case must be tried in court. Also, I shall
have Michael arrested. But why if he is innocent, My
dear Miss Plantagenet, said the lawyer slowly. Missus Gilroy is
(10:49):
an important witness in this case. She is hiding. As
soon as she sees that her son is arrested and
in danger of being condemned an accessory before the fact,
she will come out and give evidence to show that
he acted merrily as the tool of Beryl. In a word,
(11:10):
she will save him, which is four or five words. Well, Durham,
I don't say, But what you're right, and if good, gracious,
what's that? This was the sudden entrance of Maria, looking pale.
She hurried up to her mistress and caught her. Rum Oh, ma'am,
(11:31):
come to see that poor gentleman. She said, he is
very ill. I don't know what's the matter. Neither Miss
Berengaria nor the others were startled. It was to be
expected that Michael would have frequent lapses in his illness.
The old lady rose at once to the occasion. Send
(11:52):
Jerry at once for doctor Payne. She said, sharply, please, ma'am,
Jerry has left the house. Left the house. What do
you mean, Mariah explained, I haven't seen Cherry since six o'clock,
she declared. He brought me up the cup of tea
you ordered for the poor sick gentleman. I ordered no tea,
(12:17):
said Miss Berengia, with uneasiness. Cherry said you did, ma'am,
persisted the man. He brought it to me and said
you wished the gentleman to drink it at once. He
waited while the gentleman did so, and then said he
would tell you. I forgot to mention it, ma'am. When
(12:37):
you came up after dinner. Durham nodded significantly and rose,
I will go for doctor Payne, he said, walking to
the door. Is the gentleman ill, very sir, He says
he has a burning pain in his stomach. Duram nodded
again and glanced at the old lady. Were right, he
(13:01):
said gravely, there is something wrong, and he disappeared to
fetch the doctor. Where is Jerry gone, asked Miss Berengaria.
I don't know, ma'am. James said, he went out at
half past six with his bag, complaining you had sent
him away. Jam should have stopped him, or have told
(13:23):
me so, he says, ma'am. Now when it's too late,
said the angry Miss Berengaria. Alice, come with me, Coniston,
you can wait here with Miss Randolph. And before the
couple could say a word, the old lady hurried out
of the room, followed by Alice. Both were oppressed by
(13:45):
a sense of anxiety. Michael was very ill and in
great pain. Setting up in bed. He was pressing both
hands to his stomach and moaning, oh, give me water, water,
he entreated. When the women appeared, I'm dying of thirst,
(14:06):
while Miss Berengia gave him drink. Alice looked into the
teacup which tails stood on the table beside the bed.
At the bottom there was a white sediment. Something has
been given to you in your teeth, she said, turning pale.
It was some time after drinking the tea that I
(14:27):
felt ill, moaned Michael, rocking turned through. Oh I suffer,
Cherry brought the tea, began Miss Plantagenet, when Michael interrupted
her with a scream. Cherry, Cherry, his peril's work. Cherry
did anything, he told him. I believe he has presogined
(14:48):
me calling up, calling up. Cher has gone away, said
Miss Berengaria. Very pale, lost, lost, moaned Michael. Ah, this
was why he made me sign the will. This was why,
Oh heavens, Oh, I suffer, suffer the pain, the pain,
(15:12):
Help me, help me. I'm poisoned. Both the terrified women
looked at one another, for even Miss Berengia, strong minded
as she was, felt her nerve give way under the
unexpected catastrophe. Then Alice advanced to the bedside, and from
(15:33):
sheer force of abbot, addressed Michael by the false name
he had assumed, Bernard. I'm not Bernard, he screamed, rocking
and rocking. I will confess all. I'm a dead man.
Beryl won't give me the money now. He wants it
all to himself. He has made Jerry poison me. I'm
(15:54):
to die as Sir Simon died. I'm lost, lost, lost,
Oh what a wicked man I have been. Make atonement
while you can, said Miss Berengia, taking swift advantage of
the opportunity. Listen, we have known for some time that
(16:14):
you are not Bernard Gore. Aunt Michael paid no attention,
but kept on rocking in an agony of pain. Help
me save me, he moaned. Oh, great Heavens, pain will
be here. Directly, said the old lady Mariah. The man
(16:34):
was in room at this time. Go down and bring
up some boiling water. We will apply hot flannels to
his stomach. Meanwhile, said Alice, when the maid ran out,
tell us about yourself. Michael, Michael, Michael, he muttered, with
(16:55):
the perspiration beading his brow. You know my name. I
thought you took me for Gore. Neither Bernard Gore is alive.
We pretended to believe you so that in the end
you might be induced to confess, And now you have
poisoned me. Certainly not, cried Miss Plantagenet. Quickly. Jerry gave
(17:19):
you the cup of tea. He said, you told him
to bring it up. I didn't. He brought it up
himself and has now left the house. As soon as
he knew you had drunk it, he left her house.
And now that I remember, added Miss Berengia sharply, Beryl
was talking privately to the boy before he went away. Yes, yes,
(17:44):
it is Beryl who has done this. Oh, I will
confess all. It was Beryl who killed Sir Simon. We
know that. And ah a Spayne doctor. I am glad
you have come. Do you know I know a great deal?
Said Payne. Mister Durham talked to me while we drove along.
(18:06):
He met me half way to Huston. Come we must
get to work, he asked Alice and Durham, who had
entered to leave the room and began to attend to
the wretched man. Maria came up with hot water and
then hurried down for oil and mustard. Payne took up
the cup which Miss Berengaria pointed out, and examined it.
(18:31):
He touched the sediment with the tip of his finger
and tasted it arsenic, said he good lord, cried the
old lady, sitting down heavily, and in my own house. Doctor,
that boy must be arrested. Are you sure certain arsening
(18:52):
has been administered? That is why he feels these burning pains.
Give me the oil and mustard. We must gave him
an emetic so that he might get rid of the poison.
We may save him. Yet you must save him, cried
Miss Berengaria, lending her hand readily for his evidence is
(19:13):
needed to convict Beryl of murder. Mister Durham told me
something of this, but not all, said Payne, going on
with the business. Go down and leave the man to
me for a time, Miss Berengaria, I will call you
when he is better. By this time, Michael was almost
insensible with spain, but Miss Plantagenet left the room at once.
(19:39):
Hurrying down to the drawing room, she found the four
young people waiting there with scared faces. Even Durham was
startled by the expedition with which Julius had carried out
his plan of writing himself of an undesirable witness. So
is a fool, said the lawyer, and fa Tickery. He
(20:01):
should have made Jerry wait for a few days, and
to use such an obvious poison, said Miss Berengaria. It
is arsenic that has been administered. Michael will confess now, though,
said Alice. I do hope he won't die. Mister Durham,
Where are you going to the Houston Telegraph office. The
(20:24):
doctor's trap is at the door. Now. I wish to
wire to Scantlon yard so that Jerry may be caught.
Don't go, implored Alice. At any time Michael may be
able to speak, and I wish you to write down
his confession. I will go, said Conniston, jumping up, ride
(20:45):
down the wire, Durham. The sooner Jerry is trucked, the
better we shall catch Jerlius. Yet I only hope we'll
save Michael, muttered Durham, going to Miss Plantagenet's desk. Come here, Canniston.
When the wire was written, and a long one it was,
(21:05):
Conniston made free with pain strap and drove to Hurston,
where he sent it at once to London. Meantime, those
in the drawing room talked over the matter and waited
to hear from the doctor. After an hour he made
his appearance. He's bitter, he announced the masterd and All
(21:26):
made him sick. I think he's got rid of the poison.
He wants to see you, mister Durham. I'll go at once,
said the lawyer, while Alice clasped her hands, but Payne
stopped him. No, I want the man to have a
short sleep first, he said, and I am returning to
(21:47):
watch beside him. I will rang the bell when he
is better and able to speak. It was late that night,
or rather early next morning before the household retired. Miss Berengaria,
thinking the servants had better not know as little as possible,
(22:08):
sent them to bed, retaining only Maria to wait on
her personally. Then Conniston returned and the five sat in
the drawing room talking. About two in the morning, the
bell in the turret chamber was heard to ring. Durham
with writing materials hastened up at once. Alice wanted to go,
(22:32):
but Miss Berengia made her stop. Then she sent Coniston
to the hall to tell any servant who was waiting
up that Miss Vandolph would remain that night at the bower,
and when you return you can sleep also, she said.
Durham found Michael better but weak. He was lying back
(22:54):
and his pillows in an almost exhausted condition, and pain
was feeling his purse. I wanted him to wait till
the dawn, said the doctor, but insistent speaking. I might die,
said Michael, his eyes large and bright and his voice hoarse.
(23:15):
I want my revenge on this man who tried to
poison me. Are you sure, Beryl? I am quite sure.
Jerry brought up the tea and asked Nick was in it.
I know Beryl wanted to get all the estate to himself.
Tell me, Michael looked anxiously towards Durham. Is gore alive? Yes,
(23:41):
Miss Mason and Miss Plantagenet knew you were Michael Girol
as soon as you came, and they fooled me. They did,
admitted Durham promptly. And I did also. I allowed you
to make that false weell so as to trap Beryl
ah and he will be trapped and angered, said the
(24:04):
boy bitterly. I only hope he'll be alive to see
him swing, mister Durham, said Payne, removing his finger from
the patient's pulse. If you want to hear this confession,
you'd better get to work at once. I cannot allow
him to talk long I'll begin, said Michael, in a
(24:25):
stronger voice, and without further tramble. He began to talk
in a slow, monotonous voice, almost without a pause. Durham
took down his words swiftly. My name is Michael Gilroy,
said the lad quietly. I am the son of watergre
(24:47):
the father of Bernard and of Missus Gilroy, who was
the housekeeper at the hall. My father deceived her by
a false marriage as at the time, although my mother
did not know, he was already married to a Signora Tolomeo.
Are you sure that, asked Duram. Your mother said, I know,
(25:10):
I know, but she is wrong. She wanted to make
me out the air. But I'm three years younger than
my half brother. It was a false marriage. When my
mother discovered the truth, she went to America with me.
My father allowed us an income. When he died. My
(25:31):
mother was starving with me in New York. She came
to this country and saw my grandfather, Sir Simon, in London.
He heard a story and was sorry for her. Then
he offered her the post of housekeeper at the hall
and promised to provide for her after his death. But
(25:51):
he would only assist her on condition that I was
sent back to the States. I returned, and my mother
kept me out of her wages. She has been a
good mother to me. Take this, said Payne, holding wine
to his lips, for his voice was growing weaker. Michael
(26:12):
drank and continued at once. My mother had an idea
of making me the air, but as I told her
that was impossible. She had told Sir Simon too much.
At first, I remained in the States till I was
over twenty. Then I came to England. Sir Simon got
(26:33):
me a post in the city. I did not like
the work. I idled. He often assisted me. I behaved
very badly. I know that, said Durham, pausing in his writing.
You forge a check made payable to Bernard Gore. Michael
laughed weakly. I did. He said I wanted money, and
(26:57):
I got a thousand pounds by that. How is it
that you are so poor because Beryl took the money
from me. He wanted money also, and he threatened to
have me arrested for the murder if I did not
give him all. I spent very little of it. He
took all and then left me to starve. I came
(27:20):
here and wait a bit, I want to know about
your own personation of Gore. That was Beryl's idea. Also,
he met me in the city as Sir Simon one
day sent him to pay me money. He was struck
by my likeness to my half brother, and even then
(27:40):
he resolved to make use of me. But there was
no chance until Bernard quarreled with Sir Simon. Then Beryl
found that Gore had enlisted in the Imperial Humanry. He
told me that Sir Simon was coming to town to
live in crime A Square, and he was afraid lest
(28:01):
he should become reconciled to Bernard. Beryl, knowing how proud
Sir Simon was, persuaded me to impersonate Bernard by dressing
up as an Imperial yeoman, and arranged that I should
make love to her housemaid so as to get into
the house yes, and so as to let the fact
(28:23):
get to Sir Simon's ears. Beryl thought that if Sir
Simon knew that Bernard was making love to a servant,
he would cussing off for ever. Well, I did make
the acquaintance of the housemaid and visited at the house
keeping well out of sight of my mother. She did
(28:44):
not know you were there. No, whenever she was hurt coming,
I got out of the way. She rarely thought, from
Jane's description that I was my half brother. When did
you forge the check? Years before I met Jane, at
the beginning of October, Beryl and I both wanted the money.
(29:06):
I could imitate Bernard's writing, as Beryl got me some
letters of his. I forged the check and got the money.
Then Beryl afterwards took it from me. Indeed, Sir Simon,
no other forgery, said Durham, thinking of what had been
said to him by Toromeo. I'm coming to that, went
(29:29):
on Michael, after another drink of wine. I visited at
the house, as I said, and Sir Simon came to
know that as he thought Bernard was about the place.
He sat down on the evening of the committel of
the crime to ask me up. I was afraid, and
I ran away. Why did you return before ten? Ah?
(29:54):
You know that, do you, said Michael, with a weak smile.
I returned because it's struck me that there might be
some difficulty about the check, and I thought I would
see Sir Simon about it myself. I fancied he might
have me arrested. On the other hand, I thought he
might truly think I was Bernard, and then that would
(30:17):
assist Beryl's plans for keeping him out of the property.
I came to the house just after ten. My mother
opened the door. When she saw me, she ordered me away.
I refused to go. Why was that? Michael hesitated for
a moment. I have not told you my real reason
(30:39):
for coming, he said at lance. It was Beryl's plan.
He arranged to go to the theater and that I
should come to the house At the time I saw him,
between six and eight. He told me that he would
send Jerry to lure Bernard to the Crimer Square house.
(30:59):
How did he know where Bernard was? He kept a
watch on Bernard through Jerry. It was arranged that I
should see Sir Simon and make things safe for myself
about the check should there be any trouble. I thought
that was Beryl's plan at the time, said Michael restlessly.
But now I see that he intended murder. I was
(31:23):
to go as Bernard, and when I left, the old
man was to be killed. Then Bernard, brought by Jerry,
would be on the spot and would be arrested, and
that is exactly what happened. I know, but I swear
I did not know it at the time, said Michael earnestly.
I rarely believed all was safed. Had I guessed that
(31:46):
Beryl intended murder, I should not have gone to see
Sir Simon, but I did go. He knew about the
check and threatened to have me arrested. There was an
Italian hidden in the room. Sir Simon called him, and
when I saw him, I ran away. Why did you
do that? I thought he was a detective, and that
(32:10):
Sir Simon intending to rest me at once, I ran
away and went home. That is all I know. Durham
was disappointed. But you surely know who killed no, interrupted Michael.
I suspected Beryl. I think he killed him, but I'm
not sure. Next day, when the murder was proclaimed and
(32:33):
it was that Bernard was drowned, Beryl came to me
and told me to lie quite in case I should
be arrested for the crime. He then took all my
money by threatening to have me arrested as the murderer.
But if you had told this story and used to
Lomeo as a witness, Tolomeo, who is he I know
(32:56):
no one of that name. He was the man you
took for detective. Well then, not knowing who he really was,
how could I have cleared myself? Beryl could have accused me.
Tolomeo could have cleared you. He was with Sir Simon
when you left, and Sir Simon was alive. What happened? Then?
(33:19):
I lay quiet? Then I grew afred and hid myself
in different places. Beryl found me out and persuaded me
to come here to personate Bernard and make a will.
He promised me that I should get half the money.
I intended to vanish when I made the will, and
(33:39):
then Beryl arranged to get the money somehow. But how
did you expect to deceive miss Melson? I didn't. I
intended to tell her the truth, as I was wary
of Beryl's tricks, But when I saw that she and
Miss Plantagenet took me for Bernt, I resolved to carry
(34:02):
on the plot. Then Beryl came and the will was signed.
You know the rest Michael's voice had been growing weaker
and weaker. Finally his eyes closed and he led his
head back on the pillow. He has fainted again, said Payne,
you must wait till he recovers for the signature and
(34:26):
of Chapter twenty
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