human
Good-morning, she said, with a sharp glance at Blair's impassive face.
gpt
I understand that you belong to the police, and that you wish to see me--why, I cannot conceive.
human
If you will permit me to explain myself, I will soon give you my reasons, said the inspector, in his best manner.
gpt
May I sit down? Thank you. Now we can talk at our ease.
human
I suppose it is about the sad end of my poor husband, she said, in tones of grief, which her gay attire somewhat belied.
gpt
Have you found out the truth?
human
No; but I hope to do so--with your assistance.
gpt
If you think I killed the poor lamb, you are mistaken, she said.
human
I can account for all my actions on that night, policeman.
gpt
I never had the slightest suspicion of you, he protested.
human
My errand has to do with quite a different matter. And might I suggest, he added, a trifle testily,
gpt
Oh, of course, if you insist upon it! she cried, with a shrug.
human
Inspector Blair--will that do?
gpt
That will do very well, thank you. He paused, and stared hard at the expensive tea-gown and the aggressive jewelry until the widow became restive.
human
Are you rich?
gpt
What has that got to do with you? cried Mrs. Warrender furiously.
human
Remember you are talking to a lady!
gpt
To a rich lady or to a poor one?
human
Upon my soul, this is too much? Mind your business, Inspector Blair!
gpt
This is my business, he retorted, keeping himself well in hand.
human
I merely asked you the question, because, if you are not rich, then I come to make you so.
gpt
What do you mean?
human
Answer my question first: Are you rich?
gpt
No, she said sullenly,
human
I am not. My husband left me fairly well off, but not with so much money as I expected.
gpt
Then you would not object to making some more?
human
I should! I should! I am dying to leave this dull village and take up a position in London; but I cannot do it without money. She paused, then clapped her hands.
gpt
I see, she cried;
human
Sophy Marlow is going to compensate me for the death of my husband. It would be easy enough with all the millions she has!
gpt
I am sure it would, assented Blair coolly;
human
You! What have you to do with the matter?
gpt
A good deal. Mr. Thorold and Miss Marlow will rely on my advice.
human
Oh, Miss Marlow! jeered Mrs. Warrender, sitting up.
gpt
That is her name, is it, Inspector Blair? Are you sure it isn't Marie Lestrange?
human
So you know the truth, then? he said.
gpt
Give me the confession.
human
What confession? What do you mean?
gpt
The confession left by your husband, in which he tells the story of Achille Lestrange's murder.
human
I--I--I don't know----
gpt
Yes, you do; yes, you do--no lies! He shook her wrist.
human
You know that Marlow never murdered Captain Lestrange.
gpt
Let go my wrist! cried Mrs. Warrender, and succeeded in wrenching herself free.
human
What do you mean by behaving like this? I know nothing about the matter--there!
gpt
Very good. Then you lose the money. I have got for you.
human
Come back! come back! She followed him to the door and laid her hand on his shoulder.
gpt
Don't be in a hurry. Is there--is there money in it?
human
If you have the confession, yes.
gpt
How much?
human
We will talk of that when I know the truth. Have you a confession?
gpt
Yes, I have. She thought she might with safety admit as much.
human
I found the whole story of Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange and Mr. Beauchamp amongst my business papers--my husband's papers, I should say. It was signed and witnessed in New Orleans. It seems Warrender was dying there, and wanted to tell Mr. Beauchamp--Marlow, I mean--the truth, so he had the confession drawn up by a lawyer. Afterwards, when he got well, he did not destroy it.
gpt
Beauchamp was innocent of the murder, then?
human
Yes. He knocked Achille Lestrange down, but he did not kill him.
gpt
Aha! I thought so! chuckled Blair, rubbing his hands.
human
Who did?
gpt
That's tellings, said she, relapsing into the speech of her people.
human
I don't part with my secret unless I get my price.
gpt
Name your price.
human
Two thousand pounds.
gpt
What! cried the inspector.
human
Two thousand pounds for clearing the memory of a dead man! My dear lady, five hundred is nearer the mark.
gpt
Two thousand, she repeated.
human
If Sophy Marlow has the millions left by her supposed father, she can well afford that.
gpt
Humph! We'll see. I must speak to Mr. Thorold first. You have the confession?
human
I have--safely put away. It was my intention to have seen Sophy Marlow about it, but I thought I'd wait.
gpt
To see what price you could get?
human
Quite so. I'm a woman of business. If I don't get my price, I burn that confession.
gpt
You dare not! I can have you arrested, remember.
human
Pooh! she said.
gpt
I don't care for your threats. This is my one chance of making money, and I'm going to take it. Two thousand pounds or nothing.
human
I'll think it over, said Blair.
gpt
I am to have the refusal of that confession, mind.
human
What! Do you want to make money too?
gpt
Certainly, said Blair, with irony;
human
I am a man of business.