The Black Mask Magazine (Vol. 5, No. 5 — August 1922) by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: detective
Publisher: Pro-distributors Publishing Company
Published: 1922-06-01T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter XXV

Denounced

Weathershaw let his gaze wander round to the consequential little man on the lounge as he made this announcement. And he immediately realized something which at that moment was sorely puzzling Marrows and arousing astonishment in Marston. There was not the slightest sign of surprise in Sir John Arncliffe’s face, and Weathershaw suddenly knew why. Here before him was another of those men who, born schemers and plotters, cannot believe that their plans can miscarry. Sir John Arncliffe, said Weathershaw to himself, was at that moment assuring his own mind that the secret was safe between Madgwick, Stones, and himself, and would never, could never be revealed. From that point Weathershaw began to take an almost malicious pleasure in unfolding his story in the presence of the man who as yet had no suspicion that he was concerned in it.

“When I was called into this case,” continued Weathershaw, “I began my work on it by reading every available account of the inquest held on Sir Cheville Stanbury. And I very quickly came to the conclusion that the true object of whoever it was that assailed Sir Cheville on his homeward way that night was, as I have just said, the papers relating to your invention. I had heard, more than once, of the efforts made by men who wished to steal the secret of a really important invention, and I was sure that in this case there was somebody, behind the scenes, who wanted, ardently, to rob you of yours!”

Weathershaw paused for a moment and looked round. He had already got the attention of his audience. But he was chiefly interested in two of its members. Etherton had twisted round in his chair and was watching him with a puzzled frown on his face; Sir John Arncliffe was lying comfortably back against the padded lounge on which he lolled, placidly complacent, and evidently sure of his own safety.

“Now that,” resumed Weathershaw, “that pre-supposed that somebody — one person, or two persons, or even more — knew that you were busy with an invention. It seemed to me that such persons must be in close touch with you; persons, probably, who were employed by you. Well, there was your clerk, Pike — from what one could gather of the evidence at the inquest, Pike seemed a likely person to suspect. And I was suspecting Pike when I called on you, heard your story, and got you to show me your strong-room, and to lend me the key of it. But at that stage, two things happened in quick succession. The fact was this — my first proceeding on getting into that strong-room was to closely examine the key you had given me, and the lock into which it fitted. If you have that key on you, Mr. Etherton, please hand it to me for a minute.”

Etherton drew a key from his pocket and passed it across in silence. Weathershaw held it up.

“Now, you’ll all notice,” he continued, “that this key is of very intricate workmanship.

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