The Case of the Constant Suicides

Author:John Dickson Carr [Carr, John Dickson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, General, Traditional British
ISBN: 9780020184706
Google: O02ocQAACAAJ
Amazon: 1601870507
Publisher: Collier Books
Published: 1969-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

‘My dear sir,' continued the lawyer, coming over to wring Dr Fell's hand with some animation, 'I - we - can't thank you too much ! I dare say you guessed, from the trade magazines and bills you borrowed from Angus's room, what had been used to kill him ?

'Yes.’

I cannot imagine,' said Duncan, ‘why it was not apparent to all of us from the first. Though, of course, the effects of the gas had cleared away when Angus was found. No wonder the clasps of the dog carrier were closed ! When I think how we imagined snakes and spiders and heaven knows what, I am almost amused. The whole thing is so extraordinarily simple, once you have grasped the design behind it'

‘I agree,' said Dr Fell. 'By thunder, but I agree !' ‘You - ah - observed the suicide note?' I did.'

Duncan nodded with satisfaction.

The insurance companies will have to eat their words now. There can be no question as to their paying in full.'

Yet Duncan hesitated. Honesty evidently compelled him to worry at another point

'There is just one thing, however, that I cannot quite understand. If Forbes placed the dog carrier under the bed before being ejected, as this gentleman' - he looked at Alan - 'so intelligently suggested on Monday, how is it that Elspat and Kirstie did not observe it when they looked there?'

'Haven't you forgotten ?' asked Dr Fell. 'She did see it, as she has since told us. Miss Elspat Campbell's mind is as literal as a German's. You asked whether there was a suitcase there, and she said no. That is all'

It would not be true to say that the worry cleared away altogether from Duncan's face. But he cheered up, although he gave Dr Fell a very curious look.

'You think the insurance companies will accept that correction?'

I know the police will accept it. So the insurance companies will have to, whether they like it or not' 'A plain case?' 'A plain case.'

'So it seems to me.’ Duncan cheered up still more. 'Well, we must finish up this sad business as soon as we can. Have you informed the police about - this ?'

'Miss Kathryn Campbell has gone to do so. She should be back at any minute. We had to break the door in, as you see, but we haven't touched anything else. After all, we don't want to be held as accessories after the fact.'

Duncan laughed.

‘You could hardly be held for that in any case. In Scots law, there is no such thing as an accessory after the fact'

Is that so, now?' mused Dr Fell. He took the pipe out of his mouth and added abruptly: 'Mr Duncan, were you ever acquainted with Robert Campbell ?'

There was something in his words so arresting, even if so inexplicable, that everyone turned to look at him. The faint thunder of the Falls of Coe appeared loud in the hush that followed. '

'Robert?' repeated Duncan. The third of the brothers?’

'Yes.'

An expression of fastidious distaste crossed the lawyer's face.

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