The Crimson Cryptogram: A Detective StoryHume, Fergus
Philosophy
The Crimson Cryptogram: A Detective Story
Hume, Fergus
England -- Fiction; Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction; Mystery and detective stories
"Oh," said Ellis, "so this was what Busham did? His talk with the
policeman and pursuit of Mrs. Moxton to Pimlico was all lies."
"I don't know about those things, doctor. Garret followed Edgar to the
gate of Myrtle Villa, when he saw the door open, and Mrs. Moxton rush
out with a carving-knife. Moxton began to struggle with her at the
gate. She held the knife over him--I don't know why."
"She did not wish to hurt him. Go on."
"Garret saw the knife flash in the moonlight, so he ran along, and
seizing it, stabbed Moxton in the back. He fell with a cry and Mrs.
Moxton under him. Garret ran away, but returned to find Edgar dead,
and Mrs. Moxton in a faint."
"That must have been the time when Edgar wrote the blood-signs."
"Yes, no doubt. Well, Garret searched for the pocket-book and found
it. He threw the knife beside the corpse, thinking it would be said
that Mrs. Moxton had killed her husband. Then, hearing footsteps
approaching, he went away quickly."
"That must have been Miss Gordon. She returned for her purse, and on
finding what had happened, remained to shield her sister. Brave
woman!"
"Ach! my friend, that is so. Janet is both brave and good. But to
continue, Garret went into a quiet part of Dukesfield and took the
bill out of the pocket-book. As he was burning it--for he destroyed it
at once by setting light to it with a match--Busham came up and
accused him of the murder."
"Did Busham see it committed?"
"He did. He followed Garret, and, hidden in the shade, saw him stab
Moxton. But he promised to hold his tongue about it, provided he got
Moxton's money. Garret was relieved by this promise, and putting the
pocket-book into the pocket of my coat, which he wore, he returned to
Goethe Cottage."
"To confess his crime?"
"No, he said nothing; and even though I heard of Edgar's death, I did
not think that Garrett had killed him. But when I put on my coat one
evening I found the pocket-book, and recognised it as Edgar's. I then
accused Garret of the murder, and he told me all I have told you. I
held my tongue, for Hilda's sake, and as Busham was hoping to get the
money by accusing Mrs. Moxton of the crime, he was silent too. I
placed the pocket-book in my desk, where Janet found it. I should have
destroyed it, but I thought no one would open my desk. Hilda, by her
folly, has ruined her father, but I shall not make her heart ache by
telling her so."
"What did you say to Garret?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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