human
Mr. Thorold and Clara Maria, he began in deep tones,
gpt
Go on,
human
At the Good Samaritan I heard much about Mr. Marlow and the funeral, and learned a few facts which were of use to me afterwards.
gpt
When you thrust yourself into the kitchen at the Moat House, I presume?
human
You are correct, Mr. Thorold. I did good business there; and I learned, from the irresponsible chatter of the domestics, a few other facts which may also prove valuable.
gpt
Go on! go on!
human
I was turned out of the Good Samaritan by a hard-hearted landlady called--appropriately, I confess--Mrs. Timber. As the night was fine, I slept in the churchyard, opposite the tomb of Mr. Marlow. Soon after midnight I was awakened by voices. I looked out, and saw two men, one tall, the other short.
gpt
Who were they?
human
One I knew later; the other one I am still in doubt about, as I did not see his face.
gpt
But the names?
human
You shall hear the names, Clara Maria, when I am ready, not before. These men went into the tomb, remained there for some time, and came out with the body. They lifted it over the low wall of the churchyard, and went, I think, across the moor.
gpt
You followed?
human
No. I was afraid I might get into trouble, so I ran in the opposite direction. I slept the rest of the night in a hayrick far from the churchyard. Next day I sought the Moat House kitchen, and listened to the talk of the servants. Then I went away with the idea of seeing Miss Marlow at Bournemouth, as the servants said she was there with Mr. Thorold. On the moor I saw a hut. I went into it to eat a frugal meal. In it I found --Cicero paused to give his words due effect--
gpt
Whose corpse?
human
That of the man who had assisted to steal the body, Clara Maria. Your husband, Dr. Warrender!
gpt
You liar! shrieked the widow, making a bound at him.
human
Oh, you liar!
gpt
Hold hard, Mrs. Warrender! he said, holding her back;
human
Listen to his lies! Do you hear that he says my husband stole Mr. Marlow's body?
gpt
So he did, said Cicero doggedly.
human
I'm telling you what I shall tell to the police. The tall man was Dr. Warrender. I saw his face in the lantern-light. Who the short man was I do not know.
gpt
How did you recognize Dr. Warrender?
human
I didn't know him at the time; but I had his description from the servants.
gpt
Tall, yellow beard, bald head?
human
Yes, that was the man who assisted to remove the body, and that is the description of the corpse I found in the hut.
gpt
My husband's body was found in the vault, you liar!
human
Was it, Clara Maria? Well, all I can say is I don't know how it got there. I left it in the hut myself.
gpt
Why did you not give information to the police?
human
What! And get locked up on suspicion of murder? No, thank you, Mr. Thorold. I ran away from that corpse as I would have done from the devil.
gpt
Whose child you are,
human
Don't miscall your own father, Clara Maria. Well, sir, I went on to Bournemouth, and wrote two letters, one to Miss Marlow, and one to my sister, although I did not know she was my sister then. Had I known I had a relative in Heathton, said Cicero with pathos,
gpt
I should have asked for a bed.
human
And your sister, Billy Spinks, would have set the dogs on you.
gpt
I am sure you would, Clara Maria. You were always one for sentimental scenes.
human
Tell me, Gramp, is this all you know of these crimes?
gpt
All, Mr. Thorold. I think, sir, it is worth fifty pounds.
human
Humph! We'll see what the police say. You have no objection, I suppose, to come with me to Heathton and repeat this story?
gpt
Having a clear conscience, said Cicero, with a superior smile,
human
I can safely say that I have not. But the fifty, Mr. Thorold?
gpt
Will be paid after you have told Blair this story.
human
If you are so poor, put in Mrs. Warrender,
gpt
It was, admitted Mr. Gramp with pride--
human
Where did you get the money?
gpt
From a nautical man called Joe Brill--a sovereign.
human
A sovereign from Joe Brill? cried Alan, starting.
gpt
Why?
human
Ah! you may ask, said Cicero.
gpt
In my opinion it was hush-money.
human
Hush-money! What do you mean, man?
gpt
Mean! I mean that I believe Joe Brill was the short man I saw that night. Yes, Mr. Thorold, Joe stole the corpse, and Joe killed foully, with a knife, my respected brother-in-law. _Hinc illæ lachrymæ!_