Arthur Somers Roche

“ I said.
“To be near Miss Gilman, eh?” His shrewd eyes twinkled. “Don’t deny it. No one can possibly blame you, even though the lady—well, she may listen to your explanations later on. Who can tell?”
“You don’t think, then—” I stammered. I began again. “You haven’t any idea, doctor, that she—that she---”
“Killed her uncle?” He shook his head. “I never did have. I merely wanted to find out all that I could. My profession gives me a fairly good knowledge of character, as does yours. She didn’t kill him, but, unless we can prove that some one else did, it’ll be hard for her to avoid suspicion. ”

“ Reese had struck a match as he rose and lighting the lamp took but a second. He turned the reflector so that the light flashed directly into the Greenham operative’s eyes. He said one word—
“Murder!”
But beyond a natural amazement there was not, so far, at least, as I could tell the slightest guilty expression upon the face of Minot. As for Ravenell, his bull-dog countenance was immobile.
“Well, even so?” said Minot, after a moment. “Any reason why you should try to blind me? I haven’t killed any one. ”

“ In the Weatherbee Jones stories I always have a solution first, then create facts to fit that solution. Which explains the difference between writing a mystery story and living one.
My desperate strivings for light were interrupted by the approach of Reese. He spoke to the girl.
“Miss Gilman,” he said gently, “a while ago you stated that your uncle feared attack. You said that Mr. Brant was the person from whom he feared it. Was there any one else?”
“Those two.” She pointed at Minot and Ravenell. “He didn’t fear them—but I did. And he would have feared them had he known.” ”

“ Reese straightened up and spoke to Carney.
“I’ll probably not be able to get a jury together before morning, but I’ll make it as quick as possible. And I’ll see that some one is sent up to help you look after things.”
With no further words he put on his hat and coat and departed.
“May I go up-stairs?” Miss Gilman asked of Carney.
“Certainly,” said he. He looked around. “I guess there’s nobody here foolish enough to try and get away before the coroner’s jury sits. If they do they’re bound to be caught and make things harder for themselves. Captain Perkins, how about supper?” ”

“ It was set so solidly in its socket that you could almost stand a rifle in it without overturning it. The rifle might fall out, but the socket is so deep that the glass probably would remain where it is. Provided, of course, that you could get a rifle into it.”
“But couldn’t the revolver have tipped out from some slight jar without tipping the glass over, and then couldn’t the recoil of the accidentally discharged revolver, whose bullet struck down the major, have smashed the glass?” I asked. ”