Natalie Sumner Lincoln

Name: The Cat's Paw — III. Details
Author: Natalie Sumner Lincoln

The Cat's Paw — III. Details (1922)

Summary

“The Cat's Paw — III. Details”, published in 1922, is a work by Natalie Sumner Lincoln. It explores elements such as Mitchell, Baird and McLean.

Quotes from The Cat's Paw — III. Details (Natalie Sumner Lincoln)

Natalie Sumner Lincoln, The Cat's Paw — III. Details (1922)

“ Was Inspector Mitchell right—could it have been murder? Who would have reason to harm so feeble an old lady? What motive could have inspired such a senseless crime? Robbery—bah, thieves would not kill to secure books and knickknacks of doubtful value.
But then what motive could have prompted suicide? Why should a woman so near the grave take her own life? Miss Baird had abhorred illness in any form; she had always had a healthy distaste for invalidism, and little patience with neurotic friends.
Miss Susan Baird, of all persons, to be found dead—possibly murdered! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Natalie Sumner Lincoln, The Cat's Paw — III. Details (1922)

“ Access to the gallery was gained from the library by a flight of circular steps near the huge brick chimney which stood at the farther end of the room. Bookcases, similar in type to those on the main floor of the library, were in the gallery, and McLean scarcely glanced upward; instead, his eyes roved over the worn furniture with its shabby upholstery, the faded rugs on the hardwood floor, until finally his gaze rested on the tea table. Given to observation of little things, he noticed the spotless condition of the tea cloth and the neat darns in one corner. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Natalie Sumner Lincoln, The Cat's Paw — III. Details (1922)

“ McLean pulled himself up short. Who were Kitty Baird’s intimate friends—her girl friends? He could enumerate dozens of men whose admiration for her was sincere and unconcealed, but when it came to the girls in their set—pshaw! women were cats! Kitty’s popularity had not endeared her to her own sex.
“You might try Mrs. Amos Parsons,” he suggested, and pointed to the telephone table in a corner of the library. “Kitty is her private secretary. No, wait,” as Mitchell snatched up the telephone book and hastily turned its well-thumbed pages. “She may be with her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Potter. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Natalie Sumner Lincoln, The Cat's Paw — III. Details (1922)

“ Mitchell was taking mental note of Kitty’s well-groomed appearance and her nervous handling of her handkerchief.
“I told her not to sit up late.” Kitty did not meet the inspector’s eyes. “Aunt Susan seldom went to bed before one or two o’clock in the morning; she claimed it rested her to sit up and read in the library.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Natalie Sumner Lincoln, The Cat's Paw — III. Details (1922)

“ McLean balanced one hand on a chair and tipped it back and forth.
“And what is your personal opinion, Doctor?” asked Mitchell shrewdly.
McLean hesitated. “I am not quite so certain,” he admitted. “Three months ago I believed Wallace and Kitty were engaged; then—”
“Yes?—” as McLean paused once more in his speech.
“Then Kitty met Edward Rodgers of San Francisco,” McLean smiled. “It’s a toss-up which man wins.”
“So.” The inspector considered a moment. “So Miss Baird is still willing to take a chance on marrying Major Wallace, is she?” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Natalie Sumner Lincoln, The Cat's Paw — III. Details (1922)

“ A ghost of a smile touched Kitty’s lips. “Aunty would not employ any one but old Oscar. He never comes until about seven in the morning, and leaves immediately after dinner.”
“And was it your custom to leave your aunt alone in the house at night?” Mitchell was blind to the heavy frown with which McLean listened to his continued questioning of Kitty. The surgeon guessed the tension she was under and dreaded a breakdown.
“Occasionally, yes.” Observing Mitchell’s expression, Kitty added hastily, “Why not? Aunt Susan feared no one.”
“And she was murdered.” Inspector Mitchell eyed her keenly ”

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Source: Wikisource

Natalie Sumner Lincoln, The Cat's Paw — III. Details (1922)

“ He stretched out his hand to pick it up, but Mitchell checked him with an imperative gesture.
“Don’t handle anything, Sir,” he cautioned. “We are making tests for finger prints.”
“Quite right.” McLean’s hand dropped to his side. “Well, murder presupposes the presence of some one beside the victim. I see only one teacup, one plate with two sandwiches and a piece of cake, another plate with a half-eaten peach. Not a very bountiful repast. Now, while Miss Baird was poor, she was hospitable, inspector; had any one been here, her visitor would have been provided with a cup of tea at least.” ”

Natalie Sumner Lincoln

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Quotes from The Cat's Paw — III. Details (Natalie Sumner Lincoln)

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