Nothing is so full of possibilities as the seemingly impossible.
Maitland's request that Browne should not leave the room seemed to us all a veritable thunderbolt.It impressed me at the time as being a thinly veneered command, and I remember fearing lest the artist should be injudicious enough to disregard it.If he could have seen his own face for the next few moments, he would have had a lesson in expression which years of portrait work may fail to teach him.At length the rapidly changing kaleidoscope of his mind seemed to settle, to group its varied imaginings about a definite idea, - the idea that he had been all but openly accused, in the presence of Miss Darrow, of being instrumental in her father's death.For a moment, as he faced Maitland, whom he instinctively felt to be a rival, he looked so dark and sinister that one could easily have believed him capable of almost any crime.
Gwen was no less surprised than the rest of us at Maitland's interference, but she did not permit it to show in her voice as she said quietly: "Mr.Browne has consented to go for an officer." As I felt sure she must have thought Maitland already knew this, as anyone else must have heard what had passed, I looked upon her remark as a polite way of saying:
"I am mistress here."
Maitland apparently so regarded it, for he replied quickly: "I hope you will not think me officious, or unmindful of your right to dictate in a matter so peculiarly your own affair.My only desire is to help you.Mr.Browne's departure would still further complicate a case already far to difficult of solution.My legal training has given me some little experience in these matters, and I only wish that you may have the benefit thereof.It is now nearly three-quarters of an hour since your father's death, and, I assure you, time at this particular juncture may be of the utmost importance.Not a moment should be wasted in needless discussion.If you will consent to despatch a servant to the police station I will, in due time, explain to you why I have taken the liberty of being soinsistent on this point."
He had hardly ceased speaking before Gwen rang for a servant.She hurriedly told him what had transpired and sent him to the nearest police station.As this was but a few rods away and the messenger was fleet of foot, an officer was soon upon the scene."We were able," he said to us generally as he entered the room, "to catch Medical Examiner Ferris by 'phone at his home in F- Street, and he will be here directly.In the meantime I have been sent along merely to see that the body is not moved before his examination and that everything in the room remains exactly as it was at the time of the old gentleman's death.Did I not understand," he said to Maitland in an undertone, "that there is a suspicion of foul play?""Yes," replied George, "that is one explanation which certainly will have to be considered.""I thought I heard the Cap'n say 'murder' when he 'phoned in town for some specials.They're for detective work on this case, I reckon.Hello! That sounds like the Doctor's rig."A moment later the bell rang and Dr.Ferris entered the room.
"Ah, Doctor," he said extending his hand to me, "what have we here?"Before I could answer he had noticed Maitland and advanced to shake hands with him.
"Is this indeed so serious as I have been told?" he asked, after his greeting.
"It seems to me likely," replied Maitland slowly, "to develop into the darkest mystery I have ever known.""Hum!" replied the Examiner."Has the body been moved or the disposition of its members altered?""Not since I arrived," replied Officer Barker.
"And before?" queried Dr.Ferris, turning to Maitland.
"Everything is absolutely intact.I have made a few notes and measurements, but I have disturbed nothing," replied Maitland.
"Good," said the Examiner."May I see those notes before I go? You were on that Parker case and you have, you know, something of a reputation for thoroughness.Perhaps you may have noted something that would escape me.""The notes, Doctor, are at your service," George replied.
Dr.Ferris' examination of the body was very thorough, yet, since it was made with the rapid precision which comes from extended practice, it was soon over.Short as it was, however, it was still an ordeal under which Gwen suffered keenly, to judge from her manner.
The Examiner then took Maitland aside, looked at his notes, and conversed earnestly with him in an undertone for several minutes.I do not know what passed between them.When he left, a few moments later, Officer Barker accompanied him.
As soon as the door closed behind them Gwen turned to Maitland."Did he give you his opinion?" she asked with a degree of interestwhich surprised me.
"He will report death as having resulted from causes at present unknown," rejoined Maitland.
Gwen seemed greatly relieved by this answer, though I confess I was utterly at a loss to see why she should be.
Observing this change in her manner Maitland approached her, saying: "Will you now permit me to explain my seeming rudeness in interfering with your plan to make Mr.Browne your messenger, and at the same time allow me to justify myself in the making of yet anotherrequest?"
Gwen bowed assent and he proceeded to state the following case as coolly and accurately as if it were a problem in geometry.
