Who Killed Charmian Karslake? Read Online Free PDF Page A

I know. I gather that the local superintendent has set a guard over the house and its inmates, so that no one who was known to have slept in the house last night has been allowed to leave.”
    Sir Arthur nodded. “That was done at once. But I cannot believe –”
    Stoddart held up his hand. “Belief does not enter into these cases, Sir Arthur. Now, I must ask you to give me particulars of as many of these said inmates as you can. First, your immediate circle.”
    Sir Arthur drew his brows together. It was obvious that the task was not to his taste.
    â€œOur immediate circle,” he repeated. “Well, first, there is, of course, the young couple for whom last night’s ball was given – my younger brother and his American bride.”
    â€œAmerican?” The inspector, who had taken out his notebook, held his pencil poised for a moment. “The States, I suppose?”
    â€œCalifornia,” Sir Arthur assented. “But I do not imagine my young sister-in-law has spent much time in her native country. She was educated at a convent near Paris; when she left there she went for a long Continental tour with her father, Silas Juggs – the canned soup magnate, you know. Then she probably went home for a time, I am not sure. Later, she had one season in London when my brother fell a victim to her charms; result a violent love-affair, a short engagement, and a speedy marriage. No, as I see my sister-in-law’s life there is no point in which it could have touched that of Charmian Karslake. Besides, she would have told us if she had known anything of Miss Karslake.”
    â€œAh, of course,” the inspector murmured, as he made an entry in his notebook. “Now, Sir Arthur, the other members of the house-party – I have heard a Mr. Larpent’s name.”
    â€œYes, Mr. John Larpent, a distant connexion, and my friend from boyhood,” Sir Arthur assented. “We were at Eton and at Christ Church together. But of course you have heard of him before, inspector. He is doing extraordinarily well at the Bar.”
    The inspector brought his hands together sharply. “Of course; I knew the name was familiar. It was he who defended Mrs. Gatwick last year.”
    Sir Arthur nodded. “He did not get her off, but it was a narrow shave. Quite possibly he may be able to help you, inspector. I fancy he has been making a few inquiries on his own.”
    The inspector did not look particularly gratified. “Well, we shall see. Mr. Larpent is unmarried, I believe?”
    â€œAt present.” Sir Arthur smiled faintly. “He has lately become engaged to a friend of Lady Moreton’s – Miss Galbraith.”
    The inspector looked up. “Daughter of Lord Galbraith?”
    â€œThe last – not the present peer,” Sir Arthur corrected.
    â€œShe would be here,” Stoddart said, as if stating a fact.
    â€œShe was, naturally,” Sir Arthur assented.
    The inspector glanced over his notes. “Anybody else? I mean guests. I shall have to get the servants’ names from the housekeeper, I presume?”
    â€œI expect so,” Sir Arthur said slowly. “As for the other guests, there were in the bachelors’ wing Captain Arthur Appley, Lord John Barton, Mr. Williams. But I made a list – here it is,” drawing a piece of paper from his pocket. “I thought it might save time. There, do you see, all the bachelors on this side. The unmarried ladies in the opposite wing.”
    The inspector took the list and studied it in silence for a minute. Then he said without looking up:
    â€œMiss Karslake did not sleep on this side of the house with the other unmarried ladies, I gather?”
    â€œNo –” Sir Arthur hesitated. “As a matter of fact,” he went on, “Lady Moreton was rather pleased – flattered perhaps I should say – at getting Miss Karslake to attend the ball, as she is reported to have