human
I, of course, saw the report of the man who searched the train, and I was naturally surprised to find that the only lady who had taken her ticket in Newhaven was Mrs. Cyril Crichton. In a case like this we have to verify everything, so when I discovered that the gentleman who was with her, was undoubtedly your Lordship, it puzzled me a good deal why both you and your valet should be so anxious to keep her Ladyship's presence in England a secret.
gpt
Yes, yes, it must have astonished you, and I confess I am very sorry you found me out, said Cyril. He had his cue now. The old lie must be told once more.
human
Her Ladyship is suffering from a--a nervous affection. He hesitated purposely.
gpt
In fact--she has just left an insane asylum,
human
You mean that the present Lady Wilmersley--not the Dowager--?
gpt
Yes, it's queer, isn't it, that both should be afflicted in the same way,
human
Most remarkable,
gpt
As the doctors believe that her Ladyship will completely recover, I didn't want any one to know that she had ever been unbalanced. But I might have known that it was bound to leak out.
human
We are no gossips, my lord; I shall not mention what you have told me to any one.
gpt
Thanks. But if the whole police department----?
human
They have got too much to do, to bother about what doesn't concern them. I don't believe a dozen of them noticed that in searching the train for one Lady Wilmersley, they had inadvertently stumbled on another, and as the latter had nothing to do with their case, they probably dismissed the whole thing from their minds. I know them!
gpt
But you--
human
Well, you see, it's different with me. It's the business of my men to bring me isolated facts, but I have to take a larger view of the--the--the--ah--possibilities. I have got to think of everything--suspect every one.
gpt
Even me?
human
Your Lordship would have no difficulty in proving an alibi.
gpt
So you took the trouble to find that out?
human
Of course, my lord.
gpt
But why? I should really like to know what could have led you to suspect me?
human
I didn't suspect you, my lord. I only thought of you. You see, Lady Wilmersley must have had an accomplice and you must acknowledge that it was a strange coincidence that your Lordship should have happened to pass through Newhaven at that particular moment, especially as the Newhaven route is not very popular with people of your means.
gpt
Quite so. As a matter of fact, I had no intention of taking it, but I missed the Calais train.
human
I see, Griggs nodded his head as if the explanation fully satisfied him.
gpt
Would you mind, my lord, he continued after a brief pause,
human
You mean if my answers are likely to incriminate me. Well, I don't think they will, so fire ahead,
gpt
Thank you, my lord. Griggs looked a trifle abashed, but he persisted.
human
I have been wondering how it was that you met her Ladyship in Newhaven, if you had no previous intention of taking that route?
gpt
It was quite accidental. The fact is, her Ladyship escaped from an asylum near Fontainebleau over a fortnight ago. I scoured France for her but finally gave up the search, and leaving the French detectives to follow up any clue that might turn up, I decided almost on the spur of the moment to run over to England. I was never more astonished than when I found her on the train.
human
Why had she gone to Newhaven?
gpt
I have no idea.
human
Nor how long she stayed there?
gpt
No. She was rather excited and I asked no questions.
human
Had she ever before visited Newhaven to your knowledge?
gpt
Never.
human
Then she did not know the late Lord Wilmersley?
gpt
No.
human
Was there any reason for this?
gpt
I was never very friendly with my cousin, and we sailed for South Africa immediately after our marriage. Neither of us has been home since then.
human
I must find out where she spent the night of the murder,
gpt
If you think her Ladyship had anything to do with the tragedy, I assure you, you are on the wrong track, cried Cyril, forgetting for a moment his pose of polite aloofness.
human
She has never been at all violent. It is chiefly her memory that is affected. Until the last few days what she did one minute, she forgot the next.
gpt
You think, therefore, that she would not be able to tell me how she spent her time in Newhaven?
human
I am sure of it.
gpt
That is most unfortunate! By the way, how has she taken the news of Lord Wilmersley's murder?
human
She has not been told of it. She does not even know that he is dead.
gpt
Ah!
human
I see I must explain her case more fully, so that you may be able to understand my position. Her Ladyship's mind became affected about six months ago, owing to causes into which I need not enter now. Since her arrival in England her improvement has been very rapid. Her memory is growing stronger, but it is essential that it should not be taxed for the present. The doctor assures me that if she is kept perfectly quiet for a month or so, she will recover completely. That is why I want her to remain in absolute seclusion. An incautious word might send her off her balance. She must be protected from people, and I will protect her, I warn you of that. Six weeks from now, if all goes well, you can cross-question her, if you still think it necessary, but at present I not only forbid it, but I will do all in my power to prevent it. Of course, continued Cyril more calmly,
gpt
I have neither the power nor the desire to hamper you in the exercise of your profession; so if you doubt my statements just ask Dr. Stuart-Smith whether he thinks her Ladyship has ever been in a condition when she might have committed murder. He will laugh at you, I am sure.
human
I don't doubt it, my lord; all the same--
gpt
All the same you would like to know what her Ladyship did on the night of the murder. Well, find out, if you can. I assure you that although our motives differ, my curiosity equals yours.
human
Thank you, my lord. I shall certainly do my best to solve the riddle,