Chapter 81
"That Mr Gartram was murdered, sir--poisoned, and I've got the clue."
"What?"
"I thought I wouldn't say a word, sir. That it was too horrible, and that no matter what one did, it wouldn't bring the poor man back to life; but when I see the murderer going on in his wickedness, spending the money he must have stolen, and pretending he has come in for a fortune, and on the strength of it trying to delude weak widows he lodges with, and carrying on with other ladies too, it is time to speak.
The human heart won't hold such secrets without a busting out."
The lawyer started at the sound of the word _money_, for it seemed to strike a chord within his own breast.
"Look here, Mr Wimble," he said; "do I gather aright that you think that Mr Gartram was murdered?"
"Poisoned, sir."
"Good heavens! But by whom?"
"One who had sworn to have revenge upon him--one who wanted his money; and who was seen and caught lurking about the Fort, sir, one dark night, waiting for his opportunity, for he knew the place well from a boy."
"Great heavens, man, whom do you mean?"
"The man who has blighted my life, sir, Mr Christopher Lisle."
"Rubbis.h.!.+"
"What, sir?"
"You're mad."
"I wish I was, sir, and that I could say to myself you're fancying all this; I should be a happier man, sir. But I can't. I've fought with it and smothered it down, but it's one living fire, sir, and it's kept burning the day through."
"Mr Christopher Lisle?"
"Yes, sir. Him as was turned away, and heard to say threatening things against poor Mr Gartram."
"But found on the premises?"
"Yes, sir; the night Mr Gartram died of poison, no matter what the doctors said; and that night the deed was done this bottle of stuff was thrown out of
"How do you know?"
"Because I found it early next morning," said Wimble, holding up the bottle; "and I can swear it was not there the day before."
"Nonsense, nonsense, man! It's impossible."
"That's what I said to myself, sir, but nature argued it out inside me.
'Here's Mr Chris Lisle,' it said, 'wanted Miss Claude, and her father refused him, and was going to give her to Mr Glyddyr, of the yacht.'
There's one reason. Mr Chris was thrown over, because he was poor.
That's another reason. Mr Chris is rich now. How did he become rich?
n.o.body knows. Mr Chris was found in the garden, hiding, on the night Mr Gartram died, and the window was open.--What do you say to that?
This bottle, with some poison in it, was found under the window by me."
"Let me look."
"No, sir. That bottle's mine now. I wouldn't part with it for a hundred pounds."
"Why?"
"Because it's a curiosity, sir, as thousands would come to see. That bottle killed a man."
"Let me look. I'll give it you back."
"Honour bright, sir?"
"Yes."
Wimble unrolled the bottle from its cover and handed it to the lawyer, who took and examined it.
"Pis.h.!.+" he said, looking at the limpid fluid within. "Water."
"I was told it was chloral, sir."
"Chloral?" cried Trevithick; "he died of an overdose of chloral."
"Of course he did, sir," said the barber triumphantly. "Now, sir, am I mad?"
Trevithick rose, and walked heavily up and down the room, like a small elephant seeking to quit its enclosure, but professional training came to his aid directly, and he reseated himself, looking quite calm.
"This is a terribly serious thing, Mr Wimble," he said sternly. "You are charging Mr Lisle with murder."
"Terribly serious thing to take Mr Gartram's life, sir."
"If he did, my man--if he did. But it must be all a mistake."
"I hope it is, sir, indeed."
"If the police knew of this, it would be awkward for Mr Lisle."
"Of course it would, sir."
"But, my good man, you are taking the view that he is guilty. I tell you that it is impossible."
"I hope it is, sir; but I've gone over it in my bed till I'm obliged to believe Mr Lisle did it; and I feel I couldn't keep the secret any longer."
"And so you came to me?"
"Yes, sir, as Mr Gartram's business-man."
"Dear, dear--dear, dear!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Trevithick excitedly, as the man began to overcome the lawyer. "There are the ladies, Wimble. We must be very careful. If this reached their ears it would be horrible."
"Yes, sir, of course; but the wicked ought to be punished."