WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:07.240 After midnight by Marta Neville. Good night, mister Lanin. Louise Willoughby extended 2 00:00:07.240 --> 00:00:11.039 her hand. We breakfast at nine, she said, I'll see you then. 3 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.439 I hope you sleep well. Thank you. I'm sure I shall. 4 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:20.000 She gathered the folds of an embroidered chiffon gown about her and slowly mounted the 5 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:25.679 stairs. Lanin stood leaning against the null post and watched her ascend. As 6 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:29.679 he turned away, he faced his host. The cold, metallic glitter in 7 00:00:29.760 --> 00:00:34.560 the older man's black eyes gave him a strange, uncomfortable feeling. Well, 8 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:38.399 said Willoughby, She's charming, Andrew. You should be proud of her. 9 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:43.520 She's improved wonderfully in the three years since I saw her. A slow smile 10 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:47.560 crept about the drawn lips of the physician. It did not extend to his 11 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:52.000 eyes, but became lost in the heavy mustache and van Dyke beard he wore. 12 00:00:52.759 --> 00:00:58.159 Lanin again shivered. The snaky glitter in his physician friend's eyes fascinated him. 13 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:02.119 He wondered if it could be true that the woman who had just left 14 00:01:02.159 --> 00:01:06.560 him with purity written on every curve and line of her could be the wanton 15 00:01:06.680 --> 00:01:11.400 thing. Her husband fancied that she had so forgotten herself and her social position 16 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:17.239 as to stoop to an intrigue with her gardener. It seemed impossible of Louise 17 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:21.799 Willoughby, Yet many changes had taken place during the three years he had been 18 00:01:21.799 --> 00:01:26.280 abroad. He had not known her well before his departure. Perhaps he did 19 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:30.319 not know her at all. Now, come up into my laboratory, Willoughby 20 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:34.400 said. Suddenly. He closed the windows and switched off all the lights, 21 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:37.840 with the exception of one held in a bronze venus at the foot of the 22 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:44.079 stairs. Andy Lennon said, as they entered the heavily odorous room, I'd 23 00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:48.280 rather you said nothing more about this to me. Some day you'll be sorry 24 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:51.920 for having taken me into your confidence, and then our friendship will end. 25 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:56.480 There are some things a man has no right to discuss with another. I 26 00:01:56.519 --> 00:02:00.400 don't need to remind you of that. This is one of them. I've 27 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:02.760 got to talk to someone or go mad. You think it's my imagination, 28 00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:08.000 You think I'm a jealous fool. I tell you I know from the day 29 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:13.719 that man came here, she's been different. I've watched them. I've seen 30 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:17.199 his arm around her, I've heard him call her Louise. He broke and 31 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:21.439 buried his head on his arms he had flung on the table before him. 32 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:24.719 Lanin gripped his shoulder and shook him. Why don't you send him away? 33 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:31.400 Willoughby raised his bloodshot eyes and admit defeat. Give him the pleasure of saying 34 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:37.439 he was fired because Andrew Willoughby's wife fell in love with him, never besides. 35 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:42.240 He sprang to his feet and paced the little room nervously, his long 36 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:46.159 hands with their gnarled, crooked fingers stained with chemicals, twitching and pulling at 37 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:50.520 his coat as he walked. How do I know she won't go with him 38 00:02:50.520 --> 00:02:53.680 if I send him away? Lanin remembered the brief glimpse he'd had of the 39 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:58.919 gardener, A slim, tall fellow, little more than a boy, with 40 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:04.840 close cropped dark a pale, almost ethereal face, a quiet, unassuming manner. 41 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:09.520 How long has he been here? Allery six weeks? Willoughby hit the 42 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:15.000 glass topped table nervously. As he did so, a tiny vial of amber 43 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:19.319 colored liquid fell over, knocking the stopper out of it. A pungent, 44 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:23.120 sickish odor filled the room. The doctor gave a startled cry, flinging a 45 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:28.840 small rubber blanket over the table. He lifted the vial gingerly. He placed 46 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:32.000 the stopper back in it, carefully keeping it away from his face. Then 47 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:37.719 he covered it with the rubber. He'd become ashen colored as though unable to 48 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:42.120 speak. He motioned to Lenin to throw up the windows. Damn careless of 49 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:46.039 me, he muttered. A moment later, he placed the bottle high up 50 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:49.039 in a cabinet above him. Then he locked the door of the chest. 51 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:52.879 Damn careless. It's an experiment of buying, Arthur. Do you feel all 52 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:57.639 right, Lennin laughed uneasily. I shouldn't care to remain in here along with 53 00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:00.919 that odor. It's hetty, to say the least. Willoughby poured some liquid 54 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:04.680 from another bottle into a small glass and handed it to him. Then he 55 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:09.840 took a draft of it himself. Drink this, it'll overcome the effects of 56 00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:15.080 the other. Suddenly he became tense. The glitter in his eyes became more 57 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:18.720 pronounced. He seemed to be listening to something. The warm, soft air 58 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:23.959 blowing through the window brought a hint of the distant sea and something else. 59 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:29.839 What is it? Lenin gasped, The quivering of Willoughby's wide nostrils. The 60 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:34.680 sudden snapping of the glass's stem intrigued him listen. A long sort of growl, 61 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:39.560 then a long drawn howl from a dog someplace not far off, was 62 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:44.560 all Lenin heard. There was another howl, then silence. The color came 63 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:48.759 back to the physician's face. He smiled apologetically. Lenin stared at him in 64 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:54.480 bewilderment. What is it, he asked again. I I thought I heard 65 00:04:54.480 --> 00:04:57.720 her come down the stairs. I was listening to hear if he met her. 66 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:02.040 The man's tongue seemed to be thick. He spoke with difficulty. Buck 67 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:05.879 up, old man, Buck up. Lanin gave him a reassuring slap on 68 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:11.560 the shoulder, but at the same time he glanced apprehensively over his shoulder out 69 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:15.920 of the window toward the gardens beyond. Again, the long, rumbling howl 70 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:19.800 of the dog penetrated the night air. The older man suddenly lurched forward into 71 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:25.079 a chair and began to sob in a broken hearted way. At that moment, 72 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:28.839 Lannon fancied he saw a face at the open window, but before he 73 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:32.160 could ascertain whether it was his imagination or not, it had vanished. But 74 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:35.839 to him, it seemed he had seen a young, pale face with smoldering 75 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:41.079 dark eyes and close cropped hair, who, he exclaimed, what's wrong with 76 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:46.199 me? Two? The sudden clamor of a clock striking three startled him out 77 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:49.720 of a sound sleep. At least he thought it was the striking of the 78 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:54.639 hour which did it. But as he raised himself on one elbow in the 79 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:58.879 darkness, the doubled beat of his heart, the damp chill of his flesh 80 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:03.000 told him it was something else which had awakened him. Stealthy footsteps outside his 81 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:08.519 room, the cautious opening and closing of a door down the hall, the 82 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:13.399 rustle of garments as of someone moving in the corridor, were registered with dark 83 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:17.480 significance on his brain. Poor old Andrew, he muttered. He sank back 84 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:21.079 to his pillow, but he could not sleep. Though his pulse became normal, 85 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:27.040 he found himself striving to make out the objects in his room one by 86 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:30.519 one. Out of the hazy gray of the blackness. They became outlined, 87 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:35.079 invisible to his straining eyes in an irritating fashion. The drawn blind flapped forward 88 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:40.360 and back with the wind which had arisen since nightfall. Unable to stand the 89 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:43.639 sound of the flapping, he rose and went to the window to raise it. 90 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:47.360 The moon was high, unobscured by any clouds, and shone down with 91 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:53.759 the dazzling white brilliance, which made the grounds in surrounding territory almost as light 92 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:58.720 as day. The long row of glass topped greenhouses gleamed as though covered with 93 00:06:58.839 --> 00:07:03.199 snow. In the distance, far beyond the high stone wall which enclosed doctor 94 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:09.319 Willoughby's Long Island estate, shone the water near at hand. The wind whistled 95 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:13.879 in a sing song manner through the trees. From the darkening shelter of the 96 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:18.160 stone wall emerged two figures. The watching man knew instantly who they were, 97 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:24.480 even before the moon outlined, the slender figure of Willoughby's wife and the broader 98 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:29.279 silhouette of the gardener. Allering. A feeling of nauseus swept over him. 99 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:32.199 He turned away from the window, crossing to his bed. He switched on 100 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:36.319 a light just over it, determined to while away the time until daylight with 101 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:41.360 a current magazine. But the face of the woman outside in the garden seemed 102 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:45.720 to mock him. From the printed page. Her dark, shadow laden eyes 103 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:48.399 seemed to plead with him. Between the lines of printing, as though she 104 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:54.240 begged him not to judge her too harshly. The magazine slipped from his hand. 105 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:59.040 He closed his eyes and lay inert. A moment later, the cry 106 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:03.759 of someone in mortal agony penetrated the night air. Then a woman shrieked in 107 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:07.879 terror. For a moment, Lannin lay panic stricken. Then springing out of 108 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:11.720 bed, he snatched up a dressing gown and rushed into the hall. He 109 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:18.279 came face to face with Willoughby. His host was pallid. Willoughby's hands trembled 110 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:22.920 as he held a tattered silk gown about his emitiated figure. A moment later, 111 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:26.839 another door down the hall was thrown open, and the corpulent, kimono 112 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:31.839 clad housekeeper burst into their presence. You heard it, Willoughby cried in a 113 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:35.960 harsh whisper, clutching Lannon's arm. His eyes were glassy, the lids swollen, 114 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:41.159 as though from heavy sleep, and being suddenly awakened. His chin shook. 115 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:45.720 My god, my god, wailed the woman, trying to pull the 116 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:48.480 kimono about her. Ample bosom, what was it? Doctor? Did you 117 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:54.360 hear it? A woman screamed? Lanin said grimly. The cry came from 118 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:58.679 some place near the greenhouses. Some one must be injured. I heard a 119 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:03.679 man too, This from the butler who had joined them. Even partially clad, 120 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:07.720 he retained some of the dignity of his position. Oh what do you 121 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:11.080 suppose has happened? Doctor? Dear? What do you think it is? 122 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:16.279 The housekeeper caught her master's arm and clung desperately to him. He did not 123 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:20.840 seem to be conscious of her presence. He was looking into the lighted corridor 124 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:24.840 below at his wife as she stumbled blindly through the outer door into the illuminated 125 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:31.759 passageway. She was sobbing convulsively. She started to climb the stairs, slowly, 126 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:35.519 dragging herself upward with an effort. Her shimmery evening gown was torn and 127 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:39.879 draggled about her. Her face was gray, a death color, and her 128 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:45.559 eyes terror stricken. At the head of the stairs, she collapsed in a 129 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:48.960 heap. When Willoughby started to lift her, she gave a shuddering cry and 130 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:54.720 warded off his touch. Her husband gave a sucking breath. He looked at 131 00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:58.600 Lannin missus. Willoughby cried, the latter, dropping on his knees beside her. 132 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:03.480 So consciously he wondered what had become of the man who had been with 133 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:07.120 her. If it were he who had given that cry of terrible torture, 134 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:11.519 Missus Willoughby, what is it? What has happened? For a moment, 135 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:16.559 her white lips quivered. I. I there's a dead man out there by 136 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:20.799 the greenhouses. I I stumbled over him. I touched his cold face. 137 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:26.600 I a dead man. Yes. She suddenly straightened and stared with a fixity 138 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:31.559 into her husband's face. A strange expression came over her own. Then she 139 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:35.799 allowed Lnin to assist her to rise, and in a quiet manner, though 140 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:39.879 with obvious effort, she requested the butler to bring her some wine. A 141 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:43.200 dead man, come, said Lnin, abruptly, his legal training coming to 142 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:46.600 the foreground. She may be mistaken. The man may still be alive. 143 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:52.320 He was cold, she answered. The little procession filed out toward the greenhouses, 144 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:58.080 a motley, weird looking crowd in bath robes, smoking jackets and kimonos. 145 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:03.559 Louise Willoughby walked with Lenin and her husband, her hand lightly rested on 146 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:07.639 Lanin's all the way. He felt the nervous tremors that shook her. As 147 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:11.679 they neared the spot, where she had discovered the dead man. Their lights 148 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:15.799 in the greenhouse, Willoughby said, abruptly, I'll turn them on. He 149 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:20.799 left them for a moment. Then the glass enclosure became illuminated. An exclamation 150 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:24.000 of horror burst from the group. Missus Willoughby clung to Lenin's arm in a 151 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:30.039 feverish manner, huddled up chest and chin. Meeting laid the body of a 152 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:35.360 man unquestionably dead. He was roughly dressed, his shoes in tatters, his 153 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:39.320 bare feet showing through the gaping soles, while several days growth of beard added 154 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:45.159 to the gruesomeness of his appearance. Long yellow teeth were bared in a distortion 155 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:50.320 of agony. Bleary eyes stared upward. There was no sign of a wound, 156 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:54.080 no indications of foul play, but the man had unquestionably died suddenly, 157 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:58.559 any great torture. Evidently it had been his death cry they had heard. 158 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:05.559 Willoughby knelt beside him. Then, after a second's examination, rose abruptly dead 159 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:07.960 heart failure. I think, but it'll be best to notify the police. 160 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:13.200 Know him, Lenin asked, No, he looks like a hobo. Are 161 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:18.240 you going to leave him? Cried his wife, hysterically. It seems so 162 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:20.559 awful to leave a dead man out here on the ground alone. It's so 163 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:26.600 heartless. He can't be moved until the police arrived, Lenin answered Willoughby, 164 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:30.000 take your wife inside. I'll stay here until they come and see that nothing 165 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:35.519 happens. Louise Willoughby suddenly gave a cry of terror. The police. Must 166 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:37.759 you call the police. He's a tramp. He died of heart failure. 167 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:41.919 Don't call the police. It'll create a scandal. I couldn't stand that. 168 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:48.320 Please, please do something else, my dear, my dear, remonstrated her 169 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:52.279 husband quietly. This is very unfortunate. I'm sorry the poor devil chose to 170 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:56.399 die here. But it may not be heart failure. You know, he 171 00:12:56.480 --> 00:13:01.360 may have been murdered. Murdered. She sobbed the word as though it burst 172 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:07.240 from her against her will Willoughby ignored her exclamation. He continued suavely, as 173 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:11.720 though he enjoyed her hysterical anguish. If the man has been murdered, and 174 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:15.600 we placed an obstacle in the way of his murderer being apprehended, we will 175 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:20.840 be putting ourselves liable for more than a scandal. She suddenly swayed. Willoughby 176 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:24.519 placed his hand on her shoulder, but she turned on him an almost insane 177 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:28.320 fury. Don't touch me, she cried, don't you dare to touch me. 178 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:33.039 The doctor shrugged his shoulders, turning quietly to his friend. You take 179 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:35.000 her inside, Lenin, she's wrought up, no wonder, poor child. 180 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:41.679 I'll remain here. Call headquarters please three. When they reached the house, 181 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:46.279 the woman dropped wearily into a great chair. The intense pain in her face, 182 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:50.759 the tremulous quiver of her mouth caused a wave of pity to sweep over 183 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:56.679 Lenin. Are you going to call the police? She whispered, I must. 184 00:13:56.240 --> 00:14:00.720 Her white hands gripped tighter. In spite of the things he had seen, 185 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:05.399 Lanin again had a doubt as to her perfidy. Strangely enough, he 186 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:09.039 now felt no sympathy for her husband. He lifted the receiver from the hook. 187 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:13.639 As he did so, she touched him. Mister Lannin, Yes, 188 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:18.840 are you my friend? Yes? Why? Yes, of course, missus 189 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:24.559 Willoughby, I mean really truly my friend? Were his Andrews? Yes, 190 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:30.559 I trust I am a friend to you both, he evaded. She shook 191 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:35.120 her head impatiently. You can't be that. Can't you see he hates me 192 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:39.240 and I I loathe him. I despise him. Oh my god, how 193 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:43.720 I hate him. And yet Missus Willoughby, I know I horrify you. 194 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:48.360 She laughed, and began to pace the length of the room. If only 195 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:52.440 I had someone I could turn to, someone to aid me, someone in 196 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:54.559 all the world I could trust. You seem to be a good man, 197 00:14:54.639 --> 00:15:01.559 if only I dared, she paused abruptly. Then in a sudden do you 198 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:05.679 think I'm a bad woman? Do you think what he thinks? Why, 199 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:11.440 my dear lady, I see he's lied to you too, poisoned you against 200 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:15.799 me as he has others. And she covered her face with her hands. 201 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:20.960 I really I for once, he could not find words. Missus Willoughby, 202 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:28.799 I saw you tonight, you saw me and her eyes opened wide and him 203 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:33.799 as she said nothing. He turned from her and called up the police headquarters, 204 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:37.159 making his request for their presence in a quiet, professional manner. When 205 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:41.600 he hung up the receiver, he turned to her. Missus Willoughby, you 206 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:45.559 found the body who was with you at the time. She did not reply. 207 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:48.799 After waiting a moment for her to speak, he continued, you realize 208 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:52.879 that the police will ask questions of you when they arrive. As a lawyer 209 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:56.840 and your friend, I'm advising you to tell me everything before they come. 210 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:03.000 I may make things easier for you. He'sier for me, She repeated, 211 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:07.799 dully, I've done nothing, nothing wrong. I think it is murder, 212 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:12.440 Lenin said slowly. She wet her dry lips with the tip of her tongue. 213 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:17.960 Yes, it is murder. I know that, she whispered. How 214 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:22.919 do you know, he said sharply. She shivered. I I she gave 215 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:29.440 a little hysterical laugh, just as a woman intuitively knows many things. Something 216 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:33.600 here. It tells me that it is. Did you know the man? 217 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:37.279 No, No, of course not. I never saw him before. Didn't 218 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:41.720 you hear what Andrew said? He's a tramp, a hobo. Probably probably 219 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:48.320 Her voice trailed off, and her dark eyes widened. Probably what. Lenin 220 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:52.440 leaned forward and laid his hand on hers. Her skin was damp and ice 221 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:57.679 cold. Probably he he stopped in the grounds to sleep or for a drink 222 00:16:57.720 --> 00:17:03.799 of water. And mister Lnnin, I can't talk. I'm I'm you'll excuse 223 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:07.880 me. I must go upstairs. I She rose unsteadily, and for a 224 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:11.519 moment seemed about to faint. You can call me when the when they arrive, 225 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:15.880 perhaps I'll feel better. Then he assisted her to the stairs, watched 226 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:19.759 her slowly mount them, then turned back into the room, more puzzled than 227 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:25.680 before. As he sank into a deep cushioned chair before the window, heavy 228 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:30.279 satin draperies behind him were pushed aside. A young man wearing mud stained overalls 229 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:34.400 and a dark blue shirt stepped into the room. He held one finger up 230 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:38.519 to caution Linnin to silence, then motioned him to draw the blinds so that 231 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:42.839 their figures could not be seen by the men outside who waited by the greenhouses. 232 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:48.160 Well, said Lanin. The other slumped into a chair opposite to him. 233 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:52.920 He suddenly seemed overcome and unable to speak. Lanin noted the way his 234 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:59.200 hands trembled his nostrils quivered. After a moment's silence, the lawyer asked, 235 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:03.160 you're the gardener, aren't you, Yes, sir. He leaned forward, 236 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:07.519 almost touching Lanin. His eyes glowed in his eagerness. You sent for the 237 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:12.480 police, yes. Lanin reached for a cigar and lighted it before he answered 238 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:17.319 the boy. In that brief moment's survey of the gardener, he felt an 239 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:21.640 instinctive liking for him. It might be murder, you know, he added, 240 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:25.880 it was murder, mister Lannin. That poor fellow out there died the 241 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:30.000 death that was intended for me. What do you mean by that? Lanin 242 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:33.200 dropped his cigar and quickly rescued it from the carpet. I'm not going to 243 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:37.359 hide anything, sir, only only I. I can't face the police, 244 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:41.160 not yet, I've I can't tell you. But can't you tell them what 245 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:45.920 I say and keep me out of their way? Isn't it possible? His 246 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:49.400 white face worked convulsively. He spoke as though compelled to do so against his 247 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:55.240 will. I don't understand, you, said the other man coldly. You 248 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:59.440 say someone desired your death, Yet you don't want to inform the police yourself. 249 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:03.000 Don't you realize that you'll have to testify you were with missus Willoughby when 250 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:07.680 she stumbled over the body. Yes, sir, I'm a lawyer, allering. 251 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:11.799 Perhaps you didn't know that. Yes, yes, I knew it. 252 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:15.200 That's why I'm asking you to help me. To help Louise I. Lennin 253 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:18.920 winced as he used the Christian name of his friend's wife. But the gardener 254 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:22.960 did not see the movement. You didn't kill the man, did you, 255 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:26.799 snapped Lenin suddenly, No, No, good God, No, Well, 256 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:30.880 then will you be kind enough to explain just what is it all about? 257 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:37.640 He hates me, Allarein? Continued, Who Andrew Andrew Willoughby? He hates 258 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:42.079 me as much as he fears me? Lennin started angrily to his feet. 259 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:48.880 Willoughby's my friend, the younger man laughed stridently. Friend, He's no man's 260 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:52.640 friend. There's only one thing in the world of any value to him. 261 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:56.640 That's science. Didn't you see how he took the death of that poor dog 262 00:19:56.680 --> 00:20:00.200 out there. I was behind a clump of shrub. I heard, heard, 263 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:03.119 and saw him. He gloated over his body. He was glad, 264 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:08.440 glad that a man had died and proven another one of his damnable poisons efficacious? 265 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:15.279 By God, are you insinuating that Andrew Willoughby killed that man out there? 266 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.720 I am a man. He'd never seen a stray tramp. It was 267 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:26.519 intended for me, aluring returned wearily. He failed in his purpose so far 268 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:30.480 as I was concerned. But he made a sure test and it proved successful. 269 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:34.599 You're making an astounding statement. Young man, said Lannin, straining to 270 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:38.880 keep his voice calm and uninterested. You are accusing a man of murder, 271 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:44.480 your employer, the husband of the woman with whom alluring sprang to his feet. 272 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:48.400 The veins stood out in great welts on his high, thin forehead. 273 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:52.000 His nostrils quivered. When he again sank into his chair, he was panting 274 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:56.279 from the struggle. Mister Lannin, he said, abruptly, I I met 275 00:20:56.319 --> 00:21:00.359 Louise, missus Willoughby outside in the grounds. Why I did so as our 276 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:03.480 affair. But she is a good woman. You must know she is. 277 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:10.279 Her husband is more than a scoundrel. He's the vilest, lowest. Lannin's 278 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:14.759 gesture interrupted him. He continued in a quieter tone. We met by an 279 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:18.839 arbor near the greenhouses. It is very dark out there, and in spite 280 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:22.759 of its being moonlight, we weren't seen, but we saw the figure of 281 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:25.960 a man as he came out of the house. It was Andrew Willoughby. 282 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:30.400 At first we thought he had seen Louise leave and was following us, but 283 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:33.839 he passed the arbor and went on toward the greenhouses in the moonlight, which 284 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:38.279 made everything perfectly visible in the open. I could see he was carrying something. 285 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:44.039 A little case is medicine case he uses when visiting a patient. I 286 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:47.559 was afraid he could hear Louise's breathing. He passed so close to us, 287 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:52.359 but he was too intent on his wicked thoughts to notice anything else. At 288 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:56.920 the greenhouses, he hesitated, He looked stealthily around, and then he laughed. 289 00:21:56.599 --> 00:22:00.240 That laugh made Louise grip my arm. I put my hand over her 290 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:04.079 mouth for fear she would cry out. There's a hydrant beside one of the 291 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:08.119 houses. I use it every morning to attach the hose. To my knowledge, 292 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:12.000 no one else ever touches it. No one has occasion to. Willoughby 293 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:15.799 was aware of this. It is an old fashioned arrangement, and I've protested 294 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:19.960 against it, but the things remain as it is. Several times have been 295 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:25.759 drenched by the nozzle slipping as we watched. Willoughby went to this hydrant. 296 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:30.559 He carefully unfastened the hose. Then he opened the little case he carried. 297 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:34.000 He took out something which evidently was a piece of cloth, and wiped all 298 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:37.880 the damp off the rusty metal. Then he put the cloth back into the 299 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:41.440 case. Next, he took a small vial out of it, and with 300 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:45.519 great caution, poured it all over the metal. Then, as quietly as 301 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:49.599 he had come, he whirled around and went back to the house. Allering 302 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:55.039 paused. Then we both stood there in the darkness, unable at first to 303 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:59.160 speak or move. He went on. Then Louise whispered, Charlie, what 304 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:03.359 was it? What was he doing? I didn't tell her. I knew 305 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:07.880 he had contrived some diabolical way to get rid of me, though just how 306 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:11.359 a liquid poison on a piece of metal could do that I didn't know. 307 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:15.880 I resolved, under no conditions to touch it. Louise became frightened and started 308 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:21.319 to cry. She was pent up and nervous before. Now she became hysterical. 309 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:25.039 I tried to reassure her and told her she'd best go back to the 310 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:29.440 house. Though she tried to control her feelings. I felt she knew instinctively 311 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:33.400 what I did, that her husband had planned my murder. Just as she 312 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:37.319 braced up and started to leave me, a man vaulted the stone wall and 313 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:41.160 lurched into view, a pool of moonlight outlining him distinctly. I think he 314 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:45.240 was a tramp or a thief. I had never seen him before. He 315 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:49.400 wandered about aimlessly until he came to the hydrant. Almost before I knew what 316 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:52.519 he was doing, he had put his mouth to the socket and turned on 317 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:56.759 the water. The next moment he gave that cry you heard. We saw 318 00:23:56.839 --> 00:24:02.400 him stagger backwards, fling up his arm, waving them wildly, then fall 319 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:06.799 over, doubling up and writhing as though in horrible pain. It only lasted 320 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:11.599 a moment then he was dead. Louise screamed. She started to run. 321 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:15.279 She fell twice. I wasn't going to follow her, that I knew I 322 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:18.599 mustn't. I crept further back into the shadow of the arbor. After you 323 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:22.119 all came back into the house, I stole out the other way, climbed 324 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:26.279 the wall, and returned through the servant's entrance. Why should Andrew wish to 325 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:32.079 kill you, Lanin asked abruptly, alluring rose again. He crossed to the 326 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:36.880 lawyer and stood under a stand lamp, allowing its light to shine directly on 327 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:41.160 his pallid face. The skin over his cheek bones was drawn and tight. 328 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:45.359 There was a feverish gleam in his eyes. His young mouth was hard and 329 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:48.839 grim. But in spite of everything, there was a look of candor and 330 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:52.559 manliness about him, which impressed Lanin. Arthur Lanin, don't you know me? 331 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:57.960 Why? Why? The vague something which had disturbed Lenin resolved itself into 332 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:02.839 a memory, the memory of a pink cheeked, red haired lad with a 333 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:07.599 sunny smile and almost cherubic cast of countenance. He gave a gasp. Charlie 334 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:14.799 Moore, Not Charlie Moore, Yes, Louise's brother. But why? An 335 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:18.759 automobile came into the driveway, stopped with a noisy pair of the engine CEMENTA 336 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:23.200 lighted, Then the door bell gave him metallic clatter. The boy clutched Laddin's 337 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:26.119 arm. For God's sake, keep me out of this, he cried, 338 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:30.920 I'll explain later. Before the lawyer could answer, he had disappeared behind the 339 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:37.759 satin draperies four. Lanin opened the door before the servant reached it. The 340 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:41.279 inspector, followed by his medical examiner and a couple of officers, strode into 341 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:47.400 the hallway. Well, what's the dope, the inspector asked abruptly. He 342 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:51.119 was a large man with a twenty four hours crop of blue black beard. 343 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:55.920 His eyes were dark and very keen. He wore horn rimmed spectacles, which 344 00:25:55.920 --> 00:26:00.079 he kept constantly removing and polishing. Lannin knew that in that brief second survey 345 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:04.920 of the room he had noticed the almost imperceptible swaying of the curtains as they 346 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:10.839 fell together behind Charlie Moore. You called me, the inspector continued, not 347 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:15.519 waiting for his question to be answered. Yes, where's Willoughby? The doctor 348 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:18.519 was well known on the island. Outside, a dead man was found on 349 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:22.920 the grounds, some sneak thief for hobo. Evidently we thought it best to 350 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:26.240 send for you. It may be heart failure, it may be murder. 351 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:32.200 All right, take me to'em. As they stepped outside, Lannin realized 352 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:36.720 that morning had arrived. In the hazy light, he saw doctor Willoughby seated 353 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:41.279 on a stone bench, his shaggy bearded chin cupped in his hand as he 354 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:45.759 stared with evident interest at the huddled splotch on the ground before him. The 355 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:51.119 servants had grouped themselves some little distance away, evidently discussing the gruesome event, 356 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:56.200 but at the sight of the officers, they hushed abruptly. Lannin glanced quickly 357 00:26:56.240 --> 00:27:00.759 at the hydrant. It was open a slow trickle of water resolved itself into 358 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:04.160 a little rivulet below it, and wended away into a tiny stream toward the 359 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:11.039 greenhouses a trifle below it. Willoughby rose leisurely at their appearance and extended his 360 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:15.519 hand to the inspector, mister Dwyer. He said, I'm doctor Willoughby. 361 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:19.079 This is my home. It's unfortunate, Yes, I know, doctor Dwyer 362 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:22.240 interrupted. The man's dead, all right. You don't know him, do 363 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:26.839 you. Willoughby shook his head. Now seems to be a hobo, doesn't 364 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:30.880 he. I fancy he died of heart failure, but I'd rather your examiner 365 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:34.920 passed upon the case. I don't think it's advisable for you to depend solely 366 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:40.039 upon my decision. It's awkward happening on my grounds, you know. He 367 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:44.480 spoke easily. All traces of the strain of the evening before seemed to have 368 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:48.160 vanished. The examiner knelt on the damp ground and took a brief survey of 369 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:53.079 the body. No indication of foul play, he said. He scowled uncertainly, 370 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:57.640 then looked from Willoughby's face to the inspectors. He seems to have died 371 00:27:57.680 --> 00:28:03.759 suddenly with acute aggon rather an unusual attitude for a heart failure to assume. 372 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:07.039 Don't you think so, doctor Willoughby. I do. That's why I hesitated 373 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:14.039 to diagnose it as such. And yet the physician leaned closer. I I'm 374 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:18.759 not prepared to say it isn't look him over, Riley, said Dwyer abruptly 375 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:22.319 to a younger man in plain clothes. See if there's anything to identify him 376 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:26.680 on his clothes, plain hobo, said the other. After a moment's survey, 377 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:30.319 there were no cards, letters, nor marks of any kind on the 378 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:33.240 body or clothing to lead to any knowledge of the man heart failure. It 379 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:37.720 is, I take it, said Dwyer, grimly. Must have caught the 380 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:41.400 poor devil suddenly, probably dropped in here to steal a night's lodging and having 381 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:47.920 a bum heart keeled over. Lannin started to speak hesitated, then turned abruptly 382 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:52.839 to doctor Willoughby. There was an enigmatical look on the physician's bearded face. 383 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:57.920 Lanin almost fancied. The triumph gleamed through his black eyes. You you aren't 384 00:28:57.920 --> 00:29:03.640 going to have an inquest, the lawyer queried, Not necessary. Dwyer replied, 385 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:07.160 these things seem pretty clear. To me. He turned deferentially to Willoughby. 386 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:11.559 You passed it as heart failure, also, didn't you. Doctor Willoughby 387 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:15.559 bowed his head in assent. We'll have the body removed at once. The 388 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:19.759 inspector continued, Riley, you could stay here till the wagon comes. If 389 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:25.119 there's nothing further, we'll bid you good morning. Something seemed to snap in 390 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:29.400 Lannin's brain. The story the young gardener had told him, the scream the 391 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:33.640 dead man had given had made too deep an impression on the lawyer's mind to 392 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:37.720 be dismissed lightly. Doctor, he exclaimed, touching the medical assistant's arm. 393 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:44.160 Do persons dying suddenly of heart failure give a cry of mortal agony? Hey? 394 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:48.000 Lannon repeated the question. No, No, I think not. It 395 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:52.359 would be unusual, quite unusual, but not impossible for them to cry out 396 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:56.640 death comes too suddenly as a rule for them to make any sound death so 397 00:29:56.720 --> 00:30:02.440 painful as this, Why do you ask this man gave a scream. I 398 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:06.720 heard it, so did missus Willoughby, who found the body. The inspector 399 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:10.160 dug the blunt toe of his shoe into the grass at his feet. He 400 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:14.519 coughed, then looked at Willoughby, back to Lannin's expressive face, then to 401 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:18.720 his assistant, a slow flush mounted to his forehead. This puts another complexion 402 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:23.279 on the matter, He said, quietly, where is missus Willoughby in the 403 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:27.160 house. Her husband replied, she was badly upset about the matter and is 404 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:30.680 gone in Stay here, Riley, come on with me the rest of you. 405 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:34.839 An air of alertness had taken hold of Dwyer, as though he suddenly 406 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:40.880 sensed something of interest. As the servants huddled together did not move, he 407 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:45.519 gave a peremptory gesture toward them and repeated the command for them to return to 408 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:51.359 the house with him five. Once inside the house, Willoughby became a genial 409 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:55.799 host, inquiring of the officers if they desired anything to drink, and when 410 00:30:55.839 --> 00:31:00.960 Dwyer accepted with alacrity, he ordered the butler to serve all present. Dyer 411 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:03.759 wandered about the room for a few moments, touching a bit of furniture here, 412 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:08.640 a drapery there, and puffing viciously on a strong and vile smelling cigar. 413 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:14.079 After he had swallowed a large drink of old whiskey, wiped his mouth 414 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:17.400 with the back of his hand. He asked that missus Willoughby be called. 415 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:21.559 You heard this fellow, scream, he said, turning to Lenin while they 416 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:26.200 waited for her appearance. Yes, wake you up? No, I was 417 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:30.200 awake. How's that insomnia? What time did he scream? About? Half 418 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:34.160 past four? I should judge now, I don't suffer with insomnia. I'm 419 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:40.039 usually a heavy sleeper. Something else wakened you? Then? Yes? What 420 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:44.960 it's hard to say. Possibly being in a strange room in bed. I'm 421 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:48.680 a guest here, you know. Possibly the quieter the country after the city, 422 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:53.000 or I fancied I heard footsteps outside my door. Willoughby leaned forward, 423 00:31:53.359 --> 00:32:00.240 his black eyes lightened, the pupils became mere pinpoints. What kind of footsteps? 424 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:05.319 Inquired Dwyer. That I can't state. I'm not prepared to say that 425 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:07.839 I heard any. I may have fancied I did. If I did hear 426 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:13.200 them, they were very soft, cautious. I should say man's are a 427 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:17.720 woman's I don't know, but I think a man's. Willoughby sank back in 428 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:22.599 the chair, gripping the arms of it with long stained fingers. How long 429 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:27.720 after you heard these footsteps was it that you heard the scream? I should 430 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:30.720 judge thirty minutes. I lay in bed some little time, then, unable 431 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:35.039 to sleep, I got up and sat by the window. Does your window 432 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:38.599 face those greenhouses? Yes? Did you see this man enter the grounds? 433 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:44.880 No? I'd left the window when he screamed, and you saw nothing suspicious 434 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:50.400 out there? Lannin hesitated. He caught the glance his hosts directed toward him 435 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:54.839 and coughed. Something impelled him to say no. Louise Willoughby came into the 436 00:32:54.920 --> 00:33:00.359 room. She'd removed her bedraggled evening gown and had replaced it with a tea 437 00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:04.799 gown of lavender satin and lace. Her face was ghastly pale in the morning 438 00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:09.279 light, her eyes wide and very dark. Lannin suddenly felt a great pity 439 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:14.160 for her. Her heavy mass of dark red hair she had let down and 440 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:17.119 braided into a great rope which hung over one shoulder. It made her look 441 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:22.880 younger, almost girlish. At her entrance, Willoughby merely raised his head, 442 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:27.200 looked at her a second, then back toward the inspector. She accepted the 443 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:30.839 chair. Lannin offered her, you wish to see me? She said, 444 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:35.680 yes, missus Willoughby, I'm sorry to disturb you, But this unfortunate death 445 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:39.839 on your grounds makes it necessary. Dwyer's voice unconsciously softened as he addressed her. 446 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:45.759 I understand, Please pardon my appearance. I'd gone to bed. You 447 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:49.319 were the first to find the dead man's body, weren't you, missus Willoughby, 448 00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:53.160 Yes, you were alone. No, her gaze did not falter, 449 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:57.799 nor did she look at her husband, who was with you, A young 450 00:33:57.839 --> 00:34:01.440 man, mister Allering. Did this young man, mister Allering, see, 451 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:07.519 she interrupted him. We both saw him fall fall. The man wasn't dead 452 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:10.519 when you first saw him. The woman bit her lip, then she shook 453 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:15.000 her head. No, mister Allering and I were in the arbor near the 454 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:19.960 greenhouses. We saw a man climb over the fence. He staggered. Then 455 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:24.400 then her eyes shifted and rested on the face of her husband. Willoughby was 456 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:29.239 yellow. His black eyes, like beads, stared at her with all the 457 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:34.639 fascination of a snake coiled the spring. She shivered. Then he gave a 458 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:37.960 terrible cry, flung up his arms, and fell over, writhing. I 459 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:43.159 think he died instantly. I screamed too, It was horrible to see a 460 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:46.679 man die. Then I started to run he lay in my pathway. It 461 00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:51.559 was dark. The moon went under cloud Right after it happened. I fell. 462 00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:57.199 I touched his cold face. She paused, staring straight ahead of her, 463 00:34:57.239 --> 00:35:00.400 as if visualizing what had taken place. That is all, said Dwyer. 464 00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:06.679 Yes. Lanin wondered if Dwyer realized the woman was lying. Where's this 465 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:10.559 holuring now? The officer inquired, looking about. The servants who had come 466 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:15.800 into the room on returning to the house shook their heads. I don't know, 467 00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:20.400 missus, Willoughby answered, probably in his room, snapped her husband, 468 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:24.679 speaking for the first time, he's the gardener employed here. Dwyer merely raised 469 00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:29.719 his eyebrows. He studied the pale, patrician face of the woman, then 470 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:32.320 turned to one of his assistants, Riley, go of the servant to get 471 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:38.960 him six. Dwyer and his medical adviser again traversed the lawn to the greenhouses. 472 00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:44.400 Lannin went with them. The operator, whom Doyer had left in charge 473 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:47.840 of the body, grinned a sickly welcome. As they approached again, Lannin 474 00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:53.480 noticed the dripping hydrant. Dwyer stalked about the grounds. Crossing to the greenhouses, 475 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:58.320 he opened a door and stepped inside. He was gone but a moment. 476 00:35:58.760 --> 00:36:01.000 When he returned, he made a survey of the arbor and the stone 477 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:06.760 wall which surrounded the grounds. The grass was trampled and crushed, but no 478 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:10.559 definite footprints were discernible. Stevens, go back to the house and see what's 479 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:15.119 the matter that Riley hasn't found that gardener, he said abruptly. The medical 480 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:19.880 examiner, whose attention had been centered on the dead man, looked up quickly. 481 00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:22.840 It's heart failure, all right, Dwyer, he said. Dwyer merely 482 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:27.679 grunted. The man who had been with the body, hitched his trousers and 483 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:30.800 passed the back of a hairy hand across his mouth. He started briskly toward 484 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:36.639 the house, paused abruptly, and whirling around, crossed the hydrant. As 485 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:39.719 he stopped to drink from the faucet. Lannin cried out in an unnatural voice. 486 00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:45.360 Don't do that. The young officer straightened abruptly. Speaking to me, 487 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:51.000 he asked, Yes, what's the matter? Don't touch that hydrant. Stevens 488 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:54.719 came closer. I don't understand, he said, wondering if he were making 489 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:59.639 a fool of himself, or if what Allering had said were true, Lannin 490 00:36:59.679 --> 00:37:05.840 has a. The inspector looked at him inquiringly. Lannon laughed nervously, Well, 491 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:09.400 said Dwyer. He removed his horn rimmed glasses and polished them vigorously. 492 00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:15.440 His keen eyes squinted. Lannin inwardly squirmed under the scrutiny. I may be 493 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:20.719 mistaken, the lawyer said, uneasily, but I'm under the impression that the 494 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:25.559 man died after drinking from that faucet. Stevens whistled. Lannin realized he had 495 00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:30.079 told too much to withhold any more, and continued quietly. Allarin came to 496 00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:35.079 me after Missus Willoughby retired. He said, the dead man took a drink, 497 00:37:35.239 --> 00:37:37.480 then fell writhing to the ground. He may have imagined it. I 498 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:42.800 don't know, but it's well to take no chances. Missus Willoughby did not 499 00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:46.880 mention this. No where did Alarin go? Why hasn't Riley found him? 500 00:37:47.320 --> 00:37:52.000 I don't know, well, mused the inspector. Stamp queer. We'll get 501 00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:57.320 a glass test this water. Here's a tin cup, said the younger officer, 502 00:37:57.480 --> 00:38:00.320 reaching for one, which hung on a nail just below the high Lannin 503 00:38:00.400 --> 00:38:06.320 suddenly remembered the gardener's words when he had mentioned the caution Willoughby had exercised in 504 00:38:06.360 --> 00:38:09.639 wiping the moisture from the faucet. He stepped forward quietly, and drawing his 505 00:38:09.639 --> 00:38:14.679 handkerchief from his pocket, he wrapped it about his hand before turning the spicket. 506 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:17.800 Then he drew some water and handed it to the medical examiner. It 507 00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:22.719 was clear as crystal. Willoughby has a laboratory where he makes tests in chemistry. 508 00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:28.039 The lawyer said, stay here, Dwyer said to the operator he had 509 00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:30.880 left with the body before then he turned to the others with a curt nod 510 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:35.360 of his head toward the house. We'll use the laboratory, though I have 511 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:37.920 a hunch there's nothing to this water business, but you never can't tell. 512 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:44.599 And we've got to locate this fellow Allerin seven. As they entered the house, 513 00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:49.119 Willoughby rose abruptly. Lannin sensed attention in the air, as though the 514 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:52.719 physician and his wife had been quarreling. The woman's face was bloodless, the 515 00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:58.519 great purple shadows under her eyes and her white lips gave her an almost ethereal 516 00:38:58.559 --> 00:39:02.079 beauty. She smiled out a wand greeting, as though welcoming the interruption of 517 00:39:02.119 --> 00:39:07.719 an unpleasant scene. Doctor Willoughby said the inspector abruptly, Doctor Graves here would 518 00:39:07.800 --> 00:39:12.679 like to use your laboratory for a little test, if you don't mind test, 519 00:39:13.199 --> 00:39:16.960 smiled Willoughby suavely. Yes, of the hydrant water. Mister Lenin is 520 00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:21.760 under the impression that the dead hobo took a drink from your hydrant and keeled 521 00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:24.599 over. Water looks all right, but we'd like to make sure. The 522 00:39:24.679 --> 00:39:30.559 smile never left Willoughby's face, though Lenin fancied it grew tighter. I'll be 523 00:39:30.679 --> 00:39:34.400 very glad to assist you in any way, the physician said, though I'm 524 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:37.280 positive the water had nothing to do with the poor chap's death. We don't 525 00:39:37.360 --> 00:39:42.079 use it for drinking purposes, but it's pure. However, as you say, 526 00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:44.599 it's best to make sure. Come this way, if you please. 527 00:39:44.679 --> 00:39:47.599 My laboratory is on the top floor. He led the way to the odorous 528 00:39:47.719 --> 00:39:52.519 room that was the scene of as many chemical tests. As they reached the 529 00:39:52.559 --> 00:39:55.559 door for a second, he hesitated. He drew a deep breath and inserted 530 00:39:55.599 --> 00:40:00.599 a key in the lock. It did not turn. The physician looked puzzled. 531 00:40:00.280 --> 00:40:05.239 That's strange, he muttered. He rattled the knob. Maybe the lock 532 00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:09.559 is sprung, said the inspector grimly. Willoughby shook his head. It seems 533 00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:14.559 to be locked from the inside, he said. The smile left his face. 534 00:40:14.840 --> 00:40:19.440 He became yellower if possible. There came to them the rustle of papers 535 00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:23.639 inside the room, the sound of someone moving. The men stared at each 536 00:40:23.679 --> 00:40:30.079 other. Willoughby swayed a trifle and lurched against the door. Dwyer thrust a 537 00:40:30.159 --> 00:40:34.599 huge fist forward and gave the panel a resounding kick. Open this door, 538 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:37.760 he called, open it, or we'll break it down. There was silence, 539 00:40:38.000 --> 00:40:42.400 then a sound of footsteps, and the door was flung open. The 540 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:45.960 gardener stood just inside the room. There was silence, then a sound of 541 00:40:45.960 --> 00:40:51.480 footsteps, and the door was flung open. The gardener stood just inside the 542 00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:55.159 room. He had discarded his overalls and looked very much the gentleman in a 543 00:40:55.239 --> 00:40:59.920 dark, well fitting suit. Though he was ghastly pale, there was a 544 00:41:00.119 --> 00:41:04.000 triumphant gleam in his dark eyes and an air of success in his bearing. 545 00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:09.039 The room was in absolute disorder. Papers were thrown everywhere, Bottles lay at 546 00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:15.199 random on glass top tables, paper baskets were overthrown. Everything indicated a hurried 547 00:41:15.320 --> 00:41:22.559 but thorough search. One instant Willoughby glared at his ransacked laboratory, then into 548 00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:25.320 the glowing eyes of the boy, whom he seemed to recognize for the first 549 00:41:25.360 --> 00:41:30.639 time. Then he flung himself at the younger man with an almost animal like 550 00:41:30.719 --> 00:41:36.559 snarl. Damn you, Aluring stepped aside. At the same moment Dwyer laid 551 00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:40.239 a heavy hand on his shoulder. Well he smiled, but the menace in 552 00:41:40.280 --> 00:41:45.880 his cool tones made Lanin shiver. I presume you are the gardener Aluring. 553 00:41:45.280 --> 00:41:49.880 No wonder you didn't care to give your testimony to us. We came out 554 00:41:49.880 --> 00:41:52.639 here to look into the matter of a heart failure. We hardly expected to 555 00:41:52.639 --> 00:41:58.199 be so fortunate as to lay our hands on Charlie Moore number nine six seven 556 00:41:58.239 --> 00:42:01.800 to two. The boy flung back his head and looked bravely into the cool, 557 00:42:01.840 --> 00:42:07.079 hard face of the inspector. Number nine sixty seven two, gasped Stevens. 558 00:42:07.760 --> 00:42:12.199 Sure. The escaped khan, sent up two years ago for manslaughter, 559 00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:15.679 escaped six weeks ago. They say a society woman helped him bust out. 560 00:42:15.719 --> 00:42:20.960 But I never dreamed. It was missus Willoughby. She's my sister, said 561 00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:23.840 the boy, proudly. Sure. Dwyer bit off the end of a cigar 562 00:42:23.880 --> 00:42:28.559 and stuck it in his mouth, but he didn't light it. He looked 563 00:42:28.559 --> 00:42:32.400 steadily at the young man, then toward Willoughby. The latter's eyes were bloodshot. 564 00:42:32.800 --> 00:42:37.159 He seemed to be controlling himself with difficulty. What did you know about 565 00:42:37.159 --> 00:42:43.559 this, Dwyer asked him. Nothing, snapped the doctor. You didn't recognize 566 00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:49.000 him, no, young Moore laughed unpleasantly. That's a lie, he said. 567 00:42:49.280 --> 00:42:52.880 He knew me the moment Louise brought me into this house. She knew 568 00:42:52.880 --> 00:42:54.719 he did, and so did I. But he didn't dare admit it. 569 00:42:55.239 --> 00:42:59.480 If he had, he would have notified you in a minute. He wanted 570 00:42:59.480 --> 00:43:01.559 me out of the way, but he was afraid, so he chose the 571 00:43:01.599 --> 00:43:07.360 cowardly way. He made everyone think I was her lover and poisoned them against 572 00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:12.440 her, and then stop. It was Willoughby who exclaimed the boy shrugged his 573 00:43:12.480 --> 00:43:16.239 shoulders. You've made some strange statements, young man, said Dwyer quietly. 574 00:43:16.719 --> 00:43:21.679 And I must say, for a man under arrest, an escaped convict you're 575 00:43:21.800 --> 00:43:25.880 damned cool. A frank smile curled the other's lips. I'm not going back, 576 00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:30.159 Inspector, he said, And don't you think it for one minute. 577 00:43:30.679 --> 00:43:34.320 Oh is that so? You bet your life? It is? I spent 578 00:43:34.400 --> 00:43:37.840 two years in that hellhole. I was clever enough to make my escape. 579 00:43:37.079 --> 00:43:40.440 You can rest assured I'll be clever enough to keep out of it. What 580 00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:45.519 do you think I came here for? That's what I'm wondering, said Dwyer 581 00:43:45.639 --> 00:43:49.440 dryly. You might have known sooner or later we'd have run you down that 582 00:43:49.519 --> 00:43:52.639 we would be certain to come to your sisters for you. Not so certain. 583 00:43:52.880 --> 00:43:55.960 If that poor devil hadn't died out there, I'd still be safe here. 584 00:43:57.360 --> 00:44:00.280 I've had six weeks start of you, Inspector, that was all I 585 00:44:00.320 --> 00:44:04.360 needed. Six weeks too much for you, Andrew. But you see you 586 00:44:04.400 --> 00:44:08.559 didn't get me after all. Dwyer flung his cigar from him impatiently and stepped 587 00:44:08.559 --> 00:44:14.320 over the threshold into the disordered laboratory. He closed the door behind him with 588 00:44:14.360 --> 00:44:20.079 a snap. Willoughby suddenly swayed and dropped into the nearest chair. Now more, 589 00:44:20.440 --> 00:44:23.320 said the inspector. No funny business, get me, you're going back 590 00:44:23.360 --> 00:44:27.280 with me, and you're going back to stay. You were sent up on 591 00:44:27.360 --> 00:44:30.760 a poison charge. Young man. There's a dead man out there on those 592 00:44:30.800 --> 00:44:34.599 grounds. What did you have to do with his death? The boy shrugged 593 00:44:34.639 --> 00:44:37.840 his shoulders again, then his eyes clouded. A note of pathos crept into 594 00:44:37.920 --> 00:44:43.840 his voice. Everything he said quietly. I suppose if it weren't for me, 595 00:44:43.960 --> 00:44:46.280 the poor devil would be alive. At this minute, Willoughby gave an 596 00:44:46.280 --> 00:44:52.199 inarticulate cry. Dwyer stared at the ex gardener, striving to digest his astounding 597 00:44:52.199 --> 00:44:57.480 words. Let me get you right, he said, slowly. Are you 598 00:44:57.639 --> 00:45:01.079 confessing that you killed that bum out there? No, said young Moore, 599 00:45:01.719 --> 00:45:07.480 But I'm saying that my brother in law, Andrew Willoughby did eight. There 600 00:45:07.519 --> 00:45:12.960 was dead silence. Then Willoughby laughed. He laughed until he shook. Then 601 00:45:12.960 --> 00:45:15.920 he staggered to his feet and waved a long bony finger at his accuser. 602 00:45:16.320 --> 00:45:22.239 He tried to implicate me before you whelp. You tried to shift John Gordon's 603 00:45:22.320 --> 00:45:25.400 murder on my shoulders. By god, don't you try it again. I 604 00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:30.039 never saw that man out there before. I just a minute. The dignity, 605 00:45:30.280 --> 00:45:34.960 the note of authority in the boy's voice seemed to impress even Dwyer, 606 00:45:35.199 --> 00:45:38.639 hardened officer of the law that he was two years ago when I came out 607 00:45:38.679 --> 00:45:43.719 of college, I came here to study chemistry with doctor Willoughby, my brother 608 00:45:43.760 --> 00:45:47.559 in law. I was interested in science. He'd gone further into some phases 609 00:45:47.559 --> 00:45:52.559 of it than any other teacher I could secure. I became his assistant in 610 00:45:52.679 --> 00:45:57.639 numerous tests. John Gordon was another assistant. Why rake all that up, 611 00:45:57.840 --> 00:46:01.679 snapped Dwyer impatiently. All that detail came out at the trial, because you 612 00:46:01.719 --> 00:46:06.079 are going to know the truth, because I'm going to prove my statements. 613 00:46:06.639 --> 00:46:09.440 I don't know if Andrew Willoughby is insane or not, but I do know 614 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:14.559 that in the interest of science he will stop at nothing, not even murder. 615 00:46:14.920 --> 00:46:19.400 Please, He continued, raising a silencing hand as they would have interrupted 616 00:46:19.440 --> 00:46:22.840 him. He was making some tests of a new, very strange and interest 617 00:46:22.880 --> 00:46:28.559 in Eastern poison. It left no trace of any kind. A touch of 618 00:46:28.559 --> 00:46:32.159 it on a mucous membrane would produce instant death. This was not enough for 619 00:46:32.239 --> 00:46:37.880 doctor Willoughby. He was searching for a poison whose mere contact will be deadly. 620 00:46:37.519 --> 00:46:43.400 At last, he hit upon one harmless enough liquid until combined with metal 621 00:46:43.599 --> 00:46:49.840 and moisture. Lanin gave an exclamation of surprise. Willoughby had seated himself and 622 00:46:49.880 --> 00:46:53.400 now sat staring at the speaker with beaded, fascinated eyes. He wet his 623 00:46:53.440 --> 00:46:58.639 lips with the tip of his tongue, but otherwise made no movement. The 624 00:46:58.719 --> 00:47:02.320 trouble with this poison, continued Moore, was that the victim died in convulsions, 625 00:47:02.559 --> 00:47:07.920 the death being of several moments duration. Consequently, Willoughby was still dissatisfied. 626 00:47:08.360 --> 00:47:13.320 I don't know what his desire was in making of poisoning a fine art. 627 00:47:13.760 --> 00:47:16.840 I don't think that at that time murder was his object. He sacrificed 628 00:47:16.960 --> 00:47:22.480 numerous animals in his experiments. Even Louise's pet Yardale and a Persian cat belonging 629 00:47:22.519 --> 00:47:28.599 to the housekeeper were destroyed. The brutality of their death, the horrible agony 630 00:47:28.599 --> 00:47:31.559 they suffered was getting on my nerves. I wanted to get away. He 631 00:47:31.639 --> 00:47:37.000 did not let John Gordon into the secret of these poisons, so Gordon was 632 00:47:37.039 --> 00:47:40.760 in total ignorance of Willoughby's ambition. I began to fear my brother in law. 633 00:47:42.039 --> 00:47:45.760 There was an insane glitter in his eyes when at work. It dawned 634 00:47:45.840 --> 00:47:49.320 upon me that he would not endure any obstacle being placed in his way, 635 00:47:49.719 --> 00:47:52.519 and that because of my knowledge of his tests, he hated me, although 636 00:47:52.519 --> 00:47:58.760 he needed me. Then John Gordon was found dead. His attitude, the 637 00:47:58.800 --> 00:48:04.079 tortured expression on his face proved conclusively he had been poisoned, though if Willoughby 638 00:48:04.119 --> 00:48:07.639 had not so painstakingly explained to the nature of that poison, no one would 639 00:48:07.639 --> 00:48:12.960 have detected it in his system. Whether my brother in law deliberately killed him 640 00:48:13.000 --> 00:48:15.599 as a test or it was an accident, I'm not prepared to state. 641 00:48:15.920 --> 00:48:20.679 But I had nothing to do with it. The metal cup which contained the 642 00:48:20.719 --> 00:48:24.519 coffee which Gordon drank I never saw before, So help me God. Willoughby 643 00:48:24.559 --> 00:48:30.519 swore in court to my carelessness that I had deliberately left that cup which had 644 00:48:30.519 --> 00:48:34.119 been used on a tea table, and young Gordon had poured coffee into it 645 00:48:34.159 --> 00:48:37.840 and drank it. It was a lie, Doctor Willoughby himself did it. 646 00:48:37.280 --> 00:48:42.480 I had nothing to support my statement. Then I was working for a reputable, 647 00:48:42.519 --> 00:48:46.119 famous scientist. What was my word against his? With every proof in 648 00:48:46.159 --> 00:48:51.039 the world against me. But I made up my mind that the instant, 649 00:48:51.079 --> 00:48:53.760 those prison doors closed behind me, and I was once again a free man. 650 00:48:54.039 --> 00:48:59.000 I would not only prove my innocence, but Andrew Willoughby's guilt, and 651 00:48:59.199 --> 00:49:04.719 I've done so. He paused abruptly. I escaped the papers gave the details. 652 00:49:05.039 --> 00:49:07.159 I took a chance in coming here, But as Louisa's gardener, I 653 00:49:07.239 --> 00:49:10.880 was safe from you. If Willoughby did not recognize me. For a long 654 00:49:10.920 --> 00:49:15.159 time, he never noticed me. One servant was the same as another to 655 00:49:15.280 --> 00:49:20.159 him. His wife always engaged them. Then he noted our friendship, Louise's 656 00:49:20.159 --> 00:49:23.519 in mine, and became jealous. Too late, we recognized our mistake for 657 00:49:23.559 --> 00:49:27.119 the instant. He took a good look at me. He knew who I 658 00:49:27.320 --> 00:49:30.599 was. As I said, he was cowardly. He knew I had something 659 00:49:30.639 --> 00:49:35.719 more than my liberty at stake. He feared me. He was afraid of 660 00:49:35.760 --> 00:49:38.679 what I knew of him. He instantly sensed that my presence in his household 661 00:49:38.719 --> 00:49:43.719 meant I was spying upon him. He could not send me away. He 662 00:49:43.800 --> 00:49:46.760 determined to do away with me. Cleverly, he planted the idea in the 663 00:49:46.800 --> 00:49:51.400 mind of all his wife's friends that she was unfaithful to him, that I 664 00:49:51.519 --> 00:49:53.639 was her lover. He did this so that if he were discovered as my 665 00:49:53.760 --> 00:49:58.719 murderer, he would be exonerated for protecting his honor. Then he began to 666 00:49:58.760 --> 00:50:01.519 study my habits, knowing what he intended. I ate all my meals at 667 00:50:01.519 --> 00:50:07.440 a nearby road house. Everything suspicious I handled with gloves. But in spite 668 00:50:07.440 --> 00:50:10.239 of all my precautions, if that poor devil had not appeared last night this 669 00:50:10.360 --> 00:50:15.880 morning I would be a dead man. An enigmatical smile curled up the corners 670 00:50:15.920 --> 00:50:21.480 of Willoughby's eyes. He shifted his position. He glanced in an almost disinterested 671 00:50:21.519 --> 00:50:25.079 fashion at the papers tossed about the room. He contrived my murder in the 672 00:50:25.159 --> 00:50:31.280 cleverest most diabolical fashion conceived of by man, continued Moore, knowing that what 673 00:50:31.360 --> 00:50:36.400 are the plants? I must attach that hose Every morning, he carefully saw 674 00:50:36.480 --> 00:50:39.280 to it that it was unattached. Then, using this poison which he had 675 00:50:39.280 --> 00:50:44.239 perfected, he placed it on the faucet, so that the instant it came 676 00:50:44.280 --> 00:50:47.719 into contact with moisture and metal, it became deadly, so deadly that the 677 00:50:47.760 --> 00:50:52.639 touch of it on my bare hand was enough to kill me. Very pretty, 678 00:50:52.000 --> 00:50:55.320 said Dwyer, with something like a snort. But it strikes me like 679 00:50:55.400 --> 00:50:59.480 some kind of a fairy tale. You can't get away with that stuff, 680 00:50:59.519 --> 00:51:05.000 young man Moore smiled. I saw him place the poison on the hydrant faucet, 681 00:51:05.159 --> 00:51:07.400 so did his wife. I saw the tramp touch it and fall over 682 00:51:07.480 --> 00:51:12.760 dead, so did she. I've been hunting the formula and his diary. 683 00:51:13.360 --> 00:51:17.000 Dwyer sniffed again, though he took the book more extended toward him and turned 684 00:51:17.000 --> 00:51:22.119 over its pages curiously. We're always getting dope on mysterious poisons that leave no 685 00:51:22.239 --> 00:51:25.679 trace, he said. But it's going a little too far to believe in 686 00:51:25.719 --> 00:51:30.440 the existence of one that kills by the mere touch of flesh which has no 687 00:51:30.519 --> 00:51:35.960 abrasion or scratch of any kind. Willoughby suddenly stiffened, his nostrils quivered. 688 00:51:36.440 --> 00:51:39.719 You don't doubt its existence, he exclaimed, in a high pitched, excited 689 00:51:39.800 --> 00:51:45.400 voice. I do. You don't believe what he says is true? I 690 00:51:45.519 --> 00:51:49.199 do not, well. It is true, every word of it. The 691 00:51:49.280 --> 00:51:53.039 professional pride in the doctor's voice showed he'd clearly forgotten that such a statement meant 692 00:51:53.079 --> 00:51:58.239 an admission of murder. Are you confessing that you attempted your brother in law's 693 00:51:58.239 --> 00:52:02.199 life and killed that hobo, exclaimed Dwyer, whirling on him. I'm making 694 00:52:02.239 --> 00:52:07.280 a statement that I've discovered the greatest existing poison, that I've proven its potency. 695 00:52:07.880 --> 00:52:13.559 You doubt my word. Watch. Before any of the startled spectators could 696 00:52:13.559 --> 00:52:16.800 stop him, he had reached for the little vial of amber colored liquid lenin 697 00:52:16.920 --> 00:52:22.000 so vividly recalled as spilling the night before, and pouring a little of it 698 00:52:22.079 --> 00:52:24.880 in a metal measuring cup half filled with water. He rubbed his hand over 699 00:52:24.920 --> 00:52:29.639 the surface of the cup for a second. He smiled whimsically at the men, 700 00:52:29.679 --> 00:52:34.079 who stared in bewilderment at him. Then he suddenly stiffened his muscles, 701 00:52:34.119 --> 00:52:37.559 gave a convulsive movement, and he rolled off the chair on to the floor, 702 00:52:37.280 --> 00:52:43.039 dead, exclaimed the other physician, bending over him, almost instantaneous. 703 00:52:43.800 --> 00:52:49.440 Well I'm damped, ejaculated Dwyer. My sister, gasped young Moore. There 704 00:52:49.440 --> 00:52:52.079 was a horrified expression in his dark eyes. I must go to her. 705 00:52:52.440 --> 00:52:55.679 You don't want me, do you No? But don't try to get away, 706 00:52:55.920 --> 00:53:00.079 replied Dwyer, grimly, still staring in blank as styles at the stark 707 00:53:00.119 --> 00:53:05.400 figure of their late host. You'll find everything in his diary, said the 708 00:53:05.400 --> 00:53:08.880 boy in the doorway. His vainglory prompted him to write it up. It 709 00:53:08.960 --> 00:53:14.079 prompted his death, said Lannin, turning away, heartsick at the thought. 710 00:53:15.000 --> 00:53:19.400 Then the knowledge that Louise Willoughby was free sent him down into the drawing room, 711 00:53:19.599 --> 00:53:23.559 where she sat, hands clasped in those of her brother. End of 712 00:53:23.920 --> 00:53:27.239 After Midnight by Martin Neville