Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 14, 2025
Tarling remembered that when Lyne had spoken to Milburgh before, and had suggested that the girl had been guilty of some act of predation, Milburgh had been quick to deny the possibility. Now his manner was hostile to the girl indefinitely so, but sufficiently marked for Tarling to notice it. "Do you think that Miss Rider had any reason for running away?" asked the detective.
If the manager agreed to stand sponsor to this lie, he admitted his own peculations, and Tarling, to whom the turn of the conversation had at first been unintelligible, began dimly to see the drift it was taking. "I have complained that sums of money have been missing for the past month?" repeated Milburgh dully. The smile had gone from his lips and eyes. His face was haggard he was a man at bay.
"That is what I said," said Lyne watching him. "Isn't that the fact?" There was a long pause, and presently Milburgh nodded. "That is the fact, sir," he said in a low voice. "And you have told me that you suspected Miss Rider of defalcations?" Again the pause and again the man nodded. "Do you hear?" asked Lyne triumphantly. "I hear," said Tarling quietly. "Now what do you wish me to do?
However, she must be kept under observation, because apparently she knows, or think she knows, the person who did commit the murder. She must be watched day and night, and sooner or later, she will lead you to the man upon whom her suspicions rest. "Whiteside had better see her," he said, turning to Tarling. "He may get a new angle of her view.
"I want you to carry out your promise, Mr. Tarling," said Milburgh smoothly. Tarling stared at him. "My promise," he said, "what promise?" "To protect, not only the evil-doer, but those who have compromised themselves in an effort to shield the evil-doer from his or her own wicked act." Tarling started. "Do you mean to say " he said hoarsely. "Do you mean to accuse ?"
"I am referring to myself and a girl to whom I made violent love at Hertford," said Tarling, and she dropped her eyes. "I think you were sorry for me," she said, "and you were rather led into your wild declaration of of " "Love?" suggested Tarling. "That's the word," she replied with a little smile. "You were led to say what you did because of my hopeless plight."
"I hardly realise that I am speaking to a detective," she said, "and all that I have suffered during these past years has been in vain; but the truth must come now, whatever be the consequences." She paused. "And now I am going to tell you what happened on the night of the murder." There was a deep silence. Tarling could feel his heart thumping almost noisily.
Tarling put the girl from him and looked at the smirking manager. One comprehensive glance the detective gave him, noted the cycling clips and the splashes of mud on his trousers, and understood. "So you were the cyclist, eh?" he said. "That's right," said Milburgh, "it is an exercise to which I am very partial." "What do you want?" asked Tarling, alert and watchful.
"He was dying for many days, so the doctor at the big hospital told me. I hit his head once or twice, but not very hard. He cut me a little with a knife, but it was nothing." "Sam Stay is dead, eh?" said Tarling thoughtfully. "Well, that removes a source of danger to Miss Rider, Ling Chu." The Chinaman smiled. "It removes many things, master, because before this man died, his head became good."
"What makes you say that?" asked Tarling. "Well," replied Whiteside, "he has been buying ledgers," and Tarling laughed. "That doesn't seem to be a very offensive proceeding," he said good-humouredly. "What sort of ledgers?" "Those heavy things which are used in big offices. You know, the sort of thing that it takes one man all his time to lift.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking