The Crimson Cryptogram: A Detective Story — John Shaqi
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
Mrs. Moxton threw back her veil when she took the oath, and revealed a
pretty face, somewhat marred by sleeplessness and weeping. She was
colourless, red-eyed and low-voiced, but gathering courage as she
proceeded, told her tale with great simplicity and apparent truth. The
evidence she gave may be condensed as follows:--
"My name is Laura Moxton. I married my husband, Edgar, twelve months
ago. He was the son of Mr. Moxton, of Bond Street, and the heir to
great wealth. When he met me I was earning my living by typewriting,
and although I refused twice to marry him he insisted that I should do
so. At last I yielded and became his wife, whereupon his father cut
him off with a shilling. Edgar had some money inherited from his
mother, and with this we went to Monte Carlo, where he tried to
increase his fortune by gambling. However, he was unlucky, and we
returned to London in eight months poorer than when we left. For the
sake of economy my husband took Myrtle Villa, as he obtained it at a
low rental on account of the unfinished state of the road. For the
same reason we dispensed with a servant and hired the furniture. I did
all the housework, and for want of money rarely went outside the
house. My husband was unkind and neglectful, and accused me of being
the cause of the quarrel with his father which had cost him his
inheritance. It is now three months since we took Myrtle Villa. My
husband, for the first week, remained indoors at night; afterwards he
went out regularly. I did not know what he did with himself, or where
he went, as he always refused to tell me, and his temper became so
morose that I was afraid to insist upon his confidence. He always
dressed himself carefully in evening dress, and usually wore a light
overcoat. As a rule, he returned shortly after midnight. Sometimes I
waited up for him, at other times I went to bed. I was often afraid
during the long evenings in the house, as it was so lonely and so near
the waste lands where the brickworks stand. On the night of the murder
my husband went out as usual. It was August 16th. I waited for his
return and shut myself up in the bedroom at the back of the house.
About eleven I grew tired of waiting and prepared to go to bed. I know
it was eleven as I wound up my watch at that hour. I was brushing my
hair when I thought I heard a cry, but as the wind was blowing
strongly I fancied I was mistaken. Still, the belief was so strong
that, after doing up my hair, I took the candle and went to the door.
The light showed me someone lying on the path, halfway to the gate I
also heard a moan. At once I ran down, shading the candle light in the
hollow of my hand. For the moment there was a lull in the wind, and
the light burnt long enough to show me that my husband was lying
wounded on the path. Then the wind extinguished the light. I took my
husband in my arms. He moaned feebly, but could not speak. Then he
gave a gasp and died. I was dreadfully afraid, and without waiting to
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