the man who knew too much-第16章

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nk　it　bad　news？〃

〃Bad　news！〃　repeated　Fisher；　with　a　sort　of　soft　emphasis　beyond　expression。

〃Is　it　as　bad　as　all　that？〃　asked　his　friend；　at　last。

〃As　bad　as　all　that？〃　repeated　Fisher。　〃Why　of　course　it's　as　good　as　it　can　be。　It's　great　news。　It's　glorious　news！　That's　where　the　devil　of　it　comes　in；　to　knock　us　all　silly。　It's　admirable。　It's　inestimable。　It　is　also　quite　incredible。〃

He　gazed　again　at　the　gray　and　green　colors　of　the　island　and　the　river；　and　his　rather　dreary　eye　traveled　slowly　round　to　the　hedges　and　the　lawns。

〃I　felt　this　garden　was　a　sort　of　dream；〃　he　said；　〃and　I　suppose　I　must　be　dreaming。　But　there　is　grass　growing　and　water　moving；　and　something　impossible　has　happened。〃

Even　as　he　spoke　the　dark　figure　with　a　stoop　like　a　vulture　appeared　in　the　gap　of　the　hedge　just　above　him。

〃You　have　won　your　bet；〃　said　Harker；　in　a　harsh　and　almost　croaking　voice。　〃The　old　fool　cares　for　nothing　but　fishing。　He　cursed　me　and　told　me　he　would　talk　no　politics。〃

〃I　thought　it　might　be　so；〃　said　Fisher；　modestly。　〃What　are　you　going　to　do　next？〃

〃I　shall　use　the　old　idiot's　telephone；　anyhow；〃　replied　the　lawyer。　〃I　must　find　out　exactly　what　has　happened。　I've　got　to　speak　for　the　Government　myself　to…morrow。〃　And　he　hurried　away　toward　the　house。

In　the　silence　that　followed；　a　very　bewildeing　silence　so　far　as　March　was　concerned；　they　saw　the　quaint　figure　of　the　Duke　of　Westmoreland；　with　his　white　hat　and　whiskers；　approaching　them　across　the　garden。　Fisher　instantly　stepped　toward　him　with　the　pink　paper　in　his　hand；　and；　with　a　few　words；　pointed　out　the　apocalyptic　paragraph。　The　duke；　who　had　been　walking　slowly；　stood　quite　still；　and　for　some　seconds　he　looked　like　a　tailor's　dummy　standing　and　staring　outside　some　antiquated　shop。　Then　March　heard　his　voice；　and　it　was　high　and　almost　hysterical：

〃But　he　must　see　it；　he　must　be　made　to　understand。　It　cannot　have　been　put　to　him　properly。〃　Then；　with　a　certain　recovery　of　fullness　and　even　pomposity　in　the　voice；　〃I　shall　go　and　tell　him　myself。〃

Among　the　queer　incidents　of　that　afternoon；　March　always　remembered　something　almost　comical　about　the　clear　picture　of　the　old　gentleman　in　his　wonderful　white　hat　carefully　stepping　from　stone　to　stone　across　the　river；　like　a　figure　crossing　the　traffic　in　Piccadilly。　Then　he　disappeared　behind　the　trees　of　the　island；　and　March　and　Fisher　turned　to　meet　the　Attorney…General；　who　was　coming　out　of　the　house　with　a　visage　of　grim　assurance。

〃Everybody　is　saying；〃　he　said；　〃that　the　Prime　Minister　has　made　the　greatest　speech　of　his　life。　Peroration　and　loud　and　prolonged　cheers。　Corrupt　financiers　and　heroic　peasants。　We　will　not　desert　Denmark　again。〃

Fisher　nodded　and　turned　away　toward　the　towing　path；　where　he　saw　the　duke　returning　with　a　rather　dazed　expression。　In　answer　to　question；　he　said；　in　a　husky　and　confidential　voice：

〃I　really　think　our　poor　friend　cannot　be　himself。　He　refused　to　listen；　heahsuggested　that　I　might　frighten　the　fish。〃

A　keen　ear　might　have　detected　a　murmur　from　Mr。　Fisher　on　the　subject　of　a　white　hat；　but　Sir　John　Harker　struck　it　more　decisively：

〃Fisher　was　quite　right。　I　didn't　believe　it　myself；　but　it's　quite　clear　that　the　old　fellow　is　fixed　on　this　fishing　notion　by　now。　If　the　house　caught　fire　behind　him　he　would　hardly　move　till　sunset。〃

Fisher　had　continued　his　stroll　toward　the　higher　embanked　ground　of　the　towing　path；　and　he　now　swept　a　long　and　searching　gaze；　not　toward　the　island；　but　toward　the　distant　wooded　heights　that　were　the　walls　of　the　valley。　An　evening　sky　as　clear　as　that　of　the　previous　day　was　settling　down　all　over　the　dim　landscape；　but　toward　the　west　it　was　now　red　rather　than　gold；　there　was　scarcely　any　sound　but　the　monotonous　music　of　the　river。　Then　came　the　sound　of　a　half…stifled　exclamation　from　Horne　Fisher；　and　Harold　March　looked　up　at　him　in　wonder。

〃You　spoke　of　bad　news；〃　said　Fisher。　〃Well；　there　is　really　bad　news　now。　I　am　afraid　this　is　a　bad　business。〃

〃What　bad　news　do　you　mean？〃　asked　his　friend；　conscious　of　something　strange　and　sinister　in　his　voice。

〃The　sun　has　set；〃　answered　Fisher。

He　went　on　with　the　air　of　one　conscious　of　having　said　something　fatal。　〃We　must　get　somebody　to　go　across　whom　he　will　really　listen　to。　He　may　be　mad；　but　there's　method　in　his　madness。　There　nearly　always　is　method　in　madness。　It's　what　drives　men　mad；　being　methodical。　And　he　never　goes　on　sitting　there　after　sunset；　with　the　whole　place　getting　dark。　Where's　his　nephew？　I　believe　he's　really　fond　of　his　nephew。〃

〃Look！〃　cried　March；　abruptly。　〃Why；　he's　been　across　already。　There　he　is　coming　back。〃

And；　looking　up　the　river　once　more；　they　saw；　dark　against　the　sunset　reflections；　the　figure　of　James　Bullen　stepping　hastily　and　rather　clumsily　from　stone　to　stone。　Once　he　slipped　on　a　stone　with　a　slight　splash。　When　he　rejoined　the　group　on　the　bank　his　olive　face　was　unnaturally　pale。

The　other　four　men　had　already　gathered　on　the　same　spot　and　almost　simultaneously　were　calling　out　to　him；　〃What　does　he　say　now？〃

〃Nothing。　He　saysnothing。〃

Fisher　looked　at　the　young　man　steadily　for　a　moment；　then　he　started　from　his　immobility。　and；　making　a　motion　to　March　to　follow　him；　himself　strode　down　to　the　river　crossing。　In　a　few　moments　they　were　on　the　little　beaten　track　that　ran　round　the　wooded　island；　to　the　other　side　of　it　where　the　fisherman　sat。　Then　they　stood　and　looked　at　him；　without　a　word。

Sir　Isaac　Hook　was　still　sitting　propped　up　against　the　stump　of　the　tree；　and　that　for　the　best　of　reasons。　A　length　of　his　own　infallible　fishing　line　was　twisted　and　tightened　twice　round　his　throat　and　then　twice　round　the　wooden　prop　behind　him。　The　leading　investigator　ran　forward　and　touched　the　fisherman's　hand；　and　it　was　as　cold　as　a　fish。

〃The　sun　has　set；〃　said　Horne　Fisher；　in　the　same　terrible　tones；　〃and　he　will　never　see　it　rise　again。〃

Ten　minutes　afterward　the　five　men；　shaken　by　such　a　shock；　were　again　together　in　the　garden；　looking　at　one　another　with　white　but　watchful　faces。　The　lawyer　seemed　the　most　alert　of　the　group；　he　was　articulate　if　somewhat　abrupt。

〃We　must　leave　the　body　as　it　is　and　telephone　for　the　police；〃　he　said。　〃I　think　my　own　authority　will　stretch　to　examining　the　servants　and　the　poor　fellow's　papers；　to　see　if　there　is　anything　that　concerns　them。　Of　course；　none　of　you　gentlemen　must　leave　this　place。〃

Perhaps　there　was　something　in　his　rapid　and　rigorous　legality　that　suggested　the　closing　of　a　net　or　trap。　Anyhow；　young　Bullen　suddenly　broke　down；　or　perhaps　blew　up；　for　his　voice　was　like　an　explosion　in　the　silent　garden。

〃I　never　touched　him；〃　he　cried。　〃I　swear　I　had　nothing　to　do　with　it！〃

〃Who　said　you　had？〃　demanded　Harker；　with　a　hard　eye。　〃Why　do　you　cry　out　before　you're　hurt？〃

〃Because　you　all　look　at　me　like　that；〃　cried　the　young　man；　angrily。　〃Do　you　think　I　don't　know　you're　always　talking　about　my　damned　debts　and　expectations？〃

Rather　to　March's　surprise；　Fisher　had　drawn　away　from　this　first　collision；　leading　the　duke　with　him　to　another　part　of　the　garden。　When　he　was　out　of　earshot　of　the　others　he　said；　with　a　curious　simplicity　of　manner：

〃Westmoreland；　I　am　going　straight　to　the　point。〃

〃Well？〃　said　the　other；　staring　at　him　stolidly。

〃You　have　a　motive　for　killing　him；〃　said　Fisher。

The　duke　continued　to　stare；　but　he　seemed　unable　to　speak。

〃I　hope　you　had　a　motive　for　killing　him；〃　continued　Fisher；　mildly。　〃You　see；　it's　rather　a　curious　situation。　If　you　have　a　motive　for　murdering；　you　probably　didn't　murder。　But　if　you　hadn't　any　motive；　why；　then　perhaps；　you　did。〃

〃What　on　earth　are　you　talking　about？〃　demanded　the　duke；　violently。

〃It's　quite　simple；〃　said　Fisher。　〃When　you　went　across　he　was　either　alive　or　dead。　If　he　was　alive；　it　might　be　you　who　killed　him；　or　why　should　you　have　held　your　tongue　about　his　death？　But　if　he　was　dead；　and　you　had　a　reason　for　killing　him；　you　might　have　held　your　tongue　for　fear　of　being　accused。〃　Then　after　　a　silence　he　added；　abstractedly：　〃Cyprus　is　a　beautiful　place；　I　believe。　Romantic　scenery　and　romantic　people。　Very　intoxicating　for　a　young　man。〃

The　duke　suddenly　clenched　his　hands　and　said；　thickly；　〃Well；　I　had　a　motive。〃

〃Then　you're　all　right；〃　said　Fisher；　holding　out　his　hand　with　an　air　of　huge　relief。　〃I　was　pretty　sure　you　wouldn't　really　do　it；　you　had　a　fright　when　you　saw　it　done；　as　was　only　natural。　Like　a　bad　dream　come　true；　wasn't　it？〃

While　this　curious　conversation　was　passing；　Harker　had　gone　into　the　house；　disregarding　the　demonstrations　of　the　sulky　nephew；　and　came　back　presently　with　a　new　air　of　animation　and　a　sheaf　of　papers　in　his　hand。

〃I've　telephoned　for　the　police；〃　he　said；　stopping　to　speak　to　Fisher；　〃but　I　think　I've　done　most　of　their　work　for　them。　I　believe　I've　found　out　the　truth。　There's　a　paper　here〃　He　stopped；　for　Fisher　was　looking　at　him　with　a　singular　expression；　and　it　was　Fisher　who　spoke　next：

〃Are　there　any　papers　that　are　not　there；　I　wonder？　I　mean　that　are　not　there　now？〃　After　a　pause　he　added：　〃Let　us　have　the　cards　on　the　table。　When　you　went　through　his　papers　in　such　a　hurry；　Harker；　weren't　you　looking　for　something　toto　make　sure　it　shouldn't　be　found？〃

Harker　did　not　turn　a　red　hair　on　his　hard　head；　but　he　looked　at　the　other　out　of　the　corners　of　his　eyes。

〃And　I　suppose；〃　went　on　Fisher；　smoothly；　〃that　is　why　you；　too；　told　us　lies　about　having　found　Hook　alive。　You　knew　there　was　something　to　show　that　you　might　have　killed　him；　and　you　didn't　dare　tell　us　he　was　killed。　But；　believe　me；　it's　much　better　to　be　honest　now。〃

Harker's　haggard　face　suddenly　lit　up　as　if　with　infernal　flames。

〃Honest；〃　he　cried；　〃it's　not　so　damned　fine　of　you　fellows　to　be　honest。　You're　all　born　with　silver　spoons　in　your　mouths；　and　then　you　swagger　about　with　everlasting　virtue　because　you　haven't　got　other　people's　spoons　in　your　pockets。　But　I　was　born　in　a　Pimlico　lodging　house　and　I　had　to　make　my　spoon；　and　there'd　be　plenty　to　say　I　only　spoiled　a　horn　or　an　honest　man。　And　if　a　struggling　man　staggers　a　bit　over　the　line　in　his　youth；　in　the　lower　parts　of　the　law　which　are　pretty　dingy；　anyhow；　there's　always　some　old　vampire　to　hang　on　to　him　all　his　life　for　it。〃

〃Guatemalan　Golcondas；　wasn't　it？〃　said　Fisher；　sympathetically。

Harker　suddenly　shuddered。　Then　he　said；　〃I　believe　you　must　know　everything；　like　God　Almighty。〃

〃I　know　too　much；〃　said　Horne　Fisher；　〃and　all　the　wrong　things。〃

The　other　three　men　were　drawing　nearer　to　them；　but　before　they　came　too　near；　Harker　said；　in　a　voice　that　had　recovered　all　its　firmness：

〃Yes；　I　did　destroy　a　paper；　but　I　really　did　find　a　paper；　too；　and　I　believe　that　it　clears　us　all。〃

〃Very　well；〃　said　Fisher；　in　a　louder　and　more　cheerful　tone；　〃let　us　all　have　the　benefit　of　it。〃

〃On　the　very　top　of　Sir　Isaac's　papers；〃　explained　Harker；　〃there　was　a　threatening　letter　from　a　man　named　Hugo。　It　threatens　to　kill　our　unfortunate　friend　very　much　in　the　way　that　he　was　actually　killed。　It　is　a　wild　letter；　full　of　taunts；　you　can　see