Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 4, 2025
Then, in spite of my direct questions, he leaves me to find out for myself that Colin Camber's property practically adjoins his own!" "Really! Does he reside so near as that?" "My dear fellow," cried Harley, "he lives at a place called the Guest House. You can see it from part of the grounds of Cray's Folly. We were looking at it to-day." "What! the house on the hillside?"
However, since I practise what I preach, or endeavour to do so, I must not permit myself to speculate upon this aspect of the matter until I have tested my theory of Camber's innocence." "In other words," I said, bitterly, "although you encouraged me to unfold my ideas regarding Mrs. Camber, you were merely laughing at me all the time!"
"Then, although you seemed to regard my theory as sound," I continued rather resentfully, "all the time you continued to believe Colin Camber to be innocent?" "I believe so still." "What?" "I thought we had determined, Knox," he said, wearily, "that a man of Camber's genius, having decided upon murder, must have arranged for an unassailable alibi. Very well.
Inspector Aylesbury ran heavily to the door. "Sergeant!" he called, "Sergeant! keep that man in sight. He must return here immediately." I heard the sound of heavy footsteps following Camber's up the stairs, then Inspector Aylesbury turned, a bulky figure in the open doorway, and: "Now, Mr. Harley," said he, entering and reclosing the door, "you are a barrister, I understand.
His detaining hand was already upon Camber's shoulder when Harley's arm shot out like a barrier across the Inspector's chest, and Colin Camber proceeded on his way. Momentarily, he glanced aside, and I saw that his eyes were unnaturally bright. "Thank you, Mr. Harley," he said, and carried his wife from the room. Harley dropped his arm, and crossing, stood staring out of the window.
Harley nodded good-humouredly, and together we descended the steps to the sunken garden. I was intensely curious respecting the investigation which Harley had been so anxious to make here, for I recognized that it was associated with something which he had seen from the window of Camber's hut.
"It was the crowning piece of evidence, Knox, evidence of such fiendish cleverness on the part of those who had plotted Menendez's death that I began to wonder whether after all it would be possible to defeat them. I realized that Camber's life hung upon a hair. For the production of that rifle before a jury of twelve moderately stupid men and true could not fail to carry enormous weight.
"Continue," said Harley; "although I can plainly see to what this is leading." "You can see, Harley?" I cried; "of course you can see! The enmity between Camber and Menendez is understandable at last." "You mean that Menendez was Mrs. Camber's lover?" "Don't you agree with me?" "It is feasible, Knox, dreadfully feasible. But go on." "My theory also explains Colin Camber's lapse from sobriety.
Colin Camber's occupation might be, and somewhat, too, I wondered why his name was unfamiliar to me. For that the possessor of that brow and those eyes could fail to make his mark in any profession which he might take up I was unwilling to believe. "Your exposition has been very interesting, Mr. Camber," I said. "You are a singularly close observer, I perceive."
As I spoke the words I had moved a little ahead at a point where the path was overgrown by a rose bush, for the garden was somewhat neglected. "You will quite understand," I said, and turned. Never can I forget the spectacle which I beheld. Colin Camber's peculiarly pale complexion had assumed a truly ghastly pallor, and he stood with tightly clenched hands, glaring at me almost insanely. "Mr.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking