Octavus Roy Cohen

Name: Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X
Author: Octavus Roy Cohen

Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

Summary

“Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X”, published in 1918, is a work by Octavus Roy Cohen. It explores elements such as Hartigan, Rollins and Badger.

Quotes from Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (Octavus Roy Cohen)

Octavus Roy Cohen, Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

“ True enough; but isn’t it likely that a man who has always led a sedentary life, and then is suddenly gripped in a deadly fight with another man, should be somewhat surprised when at the climax the lights are suddenly extinguished, two shots—or one—fired, and then the room suddenly bathed in light again? Imagine yourself in that predicament; can’t you visualize the scene—the surcharged tenseness of it, the fierce, emotional strain— your dazed attitude when the lights went on. And then the shot, and you sink to the floor. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Octavus Roy Cohen, Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

“ Hartigan lied to us when he told his first story; he admitted it when he came in to see us at headquarters with his carefully thought-out revision. Rollins found Hartigan unconscious behind that screen; he found in his pocket a revolver from which one shot had been fired. His deductions were absolutely logical. Why should we believe every detail of the crook’s story?”
“We shouldn’t,” said Carroll simply. “We shouldn’t believe any one’s story—even that of Miss Duval.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Octavus Roy Cohen, Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

“ From the very way he handled the gun it was self-evident that he is not used to firearms. Why, then, suppose that his aim was so deadly accurate that he hit his target even in the dark? Revolver shooting is a difficult art at best, and it would be stretching one’s credulity to believe that he hit the man he was firing at, especially as Hartigan—so he says—had meanwhile snapped off the lights.
“But it is certain that he fired. Where, then, did his bullet go? Here.” He took his stand on the spot where Badger had stood and clutched the revolver in two hands, waving it as Badger had done. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Octavus Roy Cohen, Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

“ CHAPTER X "I’LL tell you why I think Hartigan was I shot by Badger,” continued Carroll evenly. “You yourselves saw the man re-enact his part in last night’s tragedy. I, for one, am anything but gullible, and I say frankly that I believe the man was telling the truth.”
“And I,” said Denson.
“Me, too,” agreed Hall.
“So far so good. You also noticed that he handled his revolver with two hands. He is physically weak and puny. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Octavus Roy Cohen, Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

“ In a short time they were back at the police station and Badger was left in his private cell in the company of Roberts, Carroll’s man.
Carroll arranged things with expedition. Johnson and Smith, two of Carroll’s men, were instructed about bringing Eunice and Vincent Harrelson into the rest room within thirty seconds of one another; there to leave them without a word. And then, when the stage was set, Carroll inquired for Rollins.
“What’s that?” questioned Hall wonderingly. “What do you want with Rollins?”
“He is the head of the police department’s detective force; I think he should be here.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Octavus Roy Cohen, Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

“ But, as I say—he usually knows instinctively; and he is never wrong. He then proceeds to chase the wrong persons through some three hundred and fifty pages of a novel, finally swinging around and surprising the reader of the tale by the apprehension of the right man. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Octavus Roy Cohen, Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

“ Remember, this case reeks with the unusual; we have one of the most prominent men in the city murdered in his own study—and immediately following the murder the confessions of his ward, a society belle; a young artist, and a half-crazy old man. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Octavus Roy Cohen, Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (1918)

“ Isn’t that so?”
“Ye-e-s; but as soon as they know about Hartigan——”
“Exactly,” beamed Carroll naively, and then nodded to his two men. Rollins scowled momentarily.
“That’s another thing I don’t like,” he asserted none too pleasantly. “Why’ve you got your men on the job here instead of the reg’lars?”
“A little idiosyncrasy of mine, Rollins. However, I’ll trot ’em away soon enough. Now let’s keep silent, all of us. From this room here we can see something and hear everything. Not a soul is to say a word.” ”

Octavus Roy Cohen

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Quotes from Six Seconds of Darkness — Chapter X (Octavus Roy Cohen)

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