第 2 节
作者:淋雨      更新:2021-10-16 18:43      字数:9322
  I   saw   a   man   slip   across   the   room   and   into   a   coat   closet。 I   retained
  enough presence of mind to steal across to the closet and turn the key in
  the   door;   then   I   ran   to   the   window   and   fortunately   saw   Officer   O'Ryan
  standing under the arc light across the street。            I called him and he arrested
  the prisoner。〃
  Her   simple   statement   evoked   a   nod   of   approval   from   the   Assistant
  District Attorney; and Rochester frowned as he waived his right to cross…
  examine   her。      The   next   witness   was   Officer   O'Ryan;   and   his   testimony
  confirmed Helen's。
  〃The   prisoner   was   standing   back   among   the   coats   in   the   closet;〃   he
  said。    〃My automatic against his ribs brought him out。〃
  〃Did     you   search    your   prisoner?〃     asked   Rochester;     as  he   took   the
  witness。
  〃Yes; sir。
  〃Find any concealed weapons?〃
  〃No; sir。〃
  〃A burglar's kit?〃
  〃No; sir。〃
  〃Did the prisoner make a statement after his arrest?〃
  〃No; sir; he came along peaceably enough; hardly a word out of him;〃
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  acknowledged O'Ryan regretfully。              He enjoyed a reputation on the force
  as   a   〃scrapper;〃    and   a   willing   prisoner    was    a  disappointment       to  his
  naturally pugnacious disposition。
  〃Did you search the house?〃
  〃Sure;   and   haven't   I   been   telling   you   I   did?〃   answered   O'Ryan;   his
  pride    in   his  achievement       in  arresting    a  burglar    in  so   fashionable     a
  neighborhood        as   Sheridan     Circle   was    giving    place    to  resentment     at
  Rochester's manner of addressing him。               At a sign from the lawyer; he left
  the witness stand; and Rochester addressed the Judge。
  〃I ask the indulgence of the court for more time;〃 he commenced; 〃that
  I may consult my client and find if he desires to call witnesses。〃
  〃The   court   finds;〃   responded   the   Judge;   〃that   a   clear   case   of   house…
  breaking   has   been   proven   against   the   prisoner   by   reputable   witnesses。
  He will have to stand trial。〃
  For the   first   time the   prisoner   raised his eyes   from  contemplation   of
  the floor。
  〃I demand trial by jury;〃 he announced。
  〃It is your right;〃 acknowledged the Judge; and turned to consult his
  calendar。
  Stepping   forward;   the   deputy   marshal   laid   his   hand   on   the   burglar's
  shoulder。
  〃Go     inside;〃    he   directed    and    held    open    the   cage    door;   which
  immediately  swung   back   into   place;   and   Rochester;   following   closely  at
  the prisoner's heels; halted abruptly。           A fit of coughing shook the burglar
  and he paused by the iron railing; gasping for breath。
  〃Water;〃 he pleaded; and a court attendant handed a cup to Rochester;
  standing just outside the cage; and he passed it over the iron railing to the
  burglar。     Then      turning   on   his   heel   the   lawyer    rejoined    Clymer;     his
  discontent plainly discernible。
  〃A    clear   case   against    your   client;〃   remarked     Clymer;     reading    his
  thoughts。      〃Don't take   the   affair to heart; man;   you   did   your   best   under
  difficulties。〃
  Rochester   shook       his  head    gloomily。     〃I   might   have   …   Jove!   why
  didn't I ask for bail?〃
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  〃Bail!〃     The banker suppressed a chuckle as he eyed the threadbare
  suit and tattered appearance of the burglar; who had resumed his seat in
  the prisoner's cage。      〃Who would have stood surety for that scarecrow?〃
  〃I   would    have。〃    Rochester     spoke    with   some    vehemence;      but  his
  words   were   partly   drowned   by   the   violent   fit   of   coughing   which   again
  shook the burglar; and before he could finish his sentence; Helen McIntyre
  stood    at  his  elbow。    She     bowed    gravely    to  Clymer     who    rose  at  her
  approach; and laid a persuasive hand on Rochester's sleeve。
  〃Will   you   come   with   us?〃   she   asked。    〃Barbara   and   Dr。   Stone   are
  ready to leave。      The doctor wishes to …〃        As she spoke she looked across
  at Stone; who stood opposite her  in the little group。              He failed to   catch
  both   her   word   and    her   eye;   his   gaze;  passing   over   her   shoulder;  was
  riveted on the burglar。
  〃Something is wrong;〃 he announced and pushed past Barbara。                      〃Let
  me inside the cage;〃 he directed as the deputy marshal kept the gate closed
  at his approach。      〃Your prisoner appears ill。〃
  One glance at the burglar proved the truth of the physician's statement
  and    the   gate  was    hastily   opened。    Stone     bent   over   the  man;    whose
  spasmodic   breathing   could   be   heard   distinctly   through   the   court   room;
  then his gaze shifted to the other occupants of the cage。
  〃The man must have air;〃 he declared。            〃Your aid here。〃       Looking up
  his eyes met Clymer's; and the latter came swiftly into the cage; followed
  by Rochester; and the deputy marshal slammed the door shut behind them。
  〃Step out this way;〃 he said; as Clymer aided the physician in lifting
  the   burglar;   and   he   led   them   into   the   ante…room   whence   prisoners   were
  taken into the cage。
  Stretching his burden on the floor; Stone tore open the man's shirt and
  felt his heart; while Clymer; spying a water cooler; sped across the room
  and returned immediately with a brimming glass。
  〃Here's water;〃 he said; but Stone refused the proffered glass。
  〃No use;〃 he announced。          〃The man is dead。〃
  〃Dead!〃 echoed the deputy marshal。             〃Well; I'll be … say; doctor;〃 but
  Stone had darted out of the room; and he turned open…mouthed to Clymer。
  〃If it wasn't Doctor Stone I would say he was crazy;〃 he declared。
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  〃Tut!    Feel the man's heart and convince yourself;〃 suggested Clymer
  tartly; and the deputy marshal; dropping on one knee; did so。 Detecting no
  heart…beat; the officer passed his hand over the dead man's unshaven chin
  and across his forehead; brushing back the unkempt hair。          Under his none
  too gentle touch the wig slipped back; revealing to his astonished gaze a
  head of short cropped; red hair。
  Clymer;     who   had   followed   the  deputy   marshal's   movements     with
  interest; gave a shout which was echoed by Rochester and Dr。 Stone; who
  returned at that moment。
  〃Good   God!〃   gasped   Clymer;   shaken   out   of   his   accustomed   calm。
  〃Jimmie Turnbull!〃
  The deputy marshal eyed the startled men。
  〃You don't mean …〃 he stammered; and paused。
  For answer Dr。 Stone straightened the dead man and removed the wig。
  〃James Turnbull;〃 he   said   gravely;  and   turning;  addressed   Rochester;
  who had dropped down on the nearest chair。           〃Cashier of the Metropolis
  Trust    Company;     Rochester;   and   your   roommate;    masquerading      as  a
  burglar。〃
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  CHAPTER II
  THE GAME OF CONSEQUENCES
  R 0 Chester did not appear to hear Dr。 Stone's words。              With eyes half
  starting   from   their   sockets   he   sat   staring   at   the   dead   man;   completely
  oblivious of the others' presence。         After watching him for a moment the
  physician turned briskly to the dazed deputy marshal。
  〃Summon the coroner;〃 he directed。           〃We cannot move the body until
  he comes。〃
  His curt tone brought the official's wits back with a jump and he made
  for the exit; only to be stopped at the threshold by a sandy…haired man just
  entering the room。
  At the word coroner; Rochester raised himself from his bent   attitude
  and brushed his hand across his eyes。
  〃No   need   for   a   coroner   to   diagnose   the   case;〃   he   objected。 〃Poor
  Turnbull always said he would go off like that。〃
  Stone moved nearer。        〃Like that?〃 he questioned; pointing to the still
  figure。    〃Explain yourself; Rochester。        Did Turnbull expect to die here in
  this manner?〃
  〃No … no … certainly not。〃       The lawyer moistened his dry lips。           〃But
  when   a   man   has   angina   pectoris   he   knows   th