The Three-Body Problem by Catherine Shaw

Author:Catherine Shaw [Catherine Shaw]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780749014445
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2013-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

The second witness called was Mrs Beddoes. I felt sorry for the poor lady, as I saw her take the stand, and my heart was wrung with fear that her statements, probably filled with resigned conviction of Arthur’s guilt, would have great weight with the jury on account of her mourning, and her gentle, sorrowful face.

Direct examination of Mrs Beddoes, by Mr Bexheath

Mr Bexheath: Mrs Beddoes, I am very sorry to call you here. I deeply sympathise with your mourning, and I shall try to trouble you as little as possible.

Mrs Beddoes: (with a wavering voice) Thank you, sir.

Mr Bexheath: I would just like to ask you a few questions about the relations between Mr Akers, your husband, Mr Crawford and the prisoner.

Mrs Beddoes: Yes?

Mr Bexheath: Was your husband the friend of each of the other three men?

Mrs Beddoes: Yes, sir, he was a good friend to all three of them.

Mr Bexheath: Can you describe the nature of his friendship with Mr Akers?

Mrs Beddoes: My husband was not as close to Mr Akers as he was to the other two. They talked mathematics sometimes, however, and my husband admired Mr Akers. He often said that Mr Akers had a wonderful talent for calculating things by wise methods, which no one else would have been able to calculate ever.

Mr Bexheath: Can you tell me where they discussed mathematics? The testimony of Mrs Wiggins appears to indicate that they did not discuss it in Mr Akers’ rooms.

Mrs Beddoes: Nor did they discuss it in our house. I do not know, sir. It must have been in their offices at the university, or in the library, or in other rooms, or at dinner.

Mr Bexheath: Did they actually collaborate? Work on mathematics together? Or did they just talk about it?

Mrs Beddoes: I don’t know, sir. But I believe they never went so far as regularly working together.

Mr Bexheath: Now, can you describe your husband’s relations with Mr Crawford?

Mrs Beddoes: They were close friends. Mr Crawford had a strong personality, and my husband was sometimes put off by his ways, but their friendship was a deep one. They had a difference back in April, but Mr Crawford forgot it and my husband kept no rancour, so they became friends again.

Mr Bexheath: Was your husband in the habit of visiting Mr Crawford’s rooms?

Mrs Beddoes: I really don’t know, but I do not remember his ever mentioning it.

Mr Bexheath: Did they dine together?

Mrs Beddoes: Yes, occasionally they did.

Mr Bexheath: Can you remember if they were to dine together on the night of your husband’s death?

Mrs Beddoes: No. I’ve been asked that many times already. I am very sorry, but my husband did not tell me whom he was dining with that night, or anything at all about Mr Crawford. He only – he only left me a message to say he would not be dining at home.

Mr Bexheath: I see. Now, let us proceed to the relations between your husband and the prisoner.

Mrs Beddoes: My husband was very fond of Mr Weatherburn.

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