Detective and mystery stories; Stone, Fleming (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
Awaiting us were several people. The district attorney, of course, and
Lawyer Randolph. Also Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Porter, who had been asked
to be present. Gregory Hall was there, too, and from his crestfallen
expression, I couldn't help thinking that he had had an unsatisfactory
interview with Florence.
As we all sat round the library, Fleming Stone was the principal
speaker.
He said: “I have come here at Miss Lloyd's request, to discover, if
possible, the murderer of her uncle, Mr. Joseph Crawford. I have learned
the identity of the assassin, and, if you all wish me to, I will now
divulge it.”
“We do wish you to, Mr. Stone,” said Mr. Goodrich, and his voice
trembled a little, for he knew not where the blow might fall. But after
Fleming Stone's wonderful detective work in the case of Gregory Hall,
the district attorney felt full confidence in his powers.
Sitting quietly by the library table, with the eyes of all the company
upon him, Fleming Stone said, in effect, to them just what he had said
to me. He told of the revolver in the drawer with the financial papers.
He told how the midnight visitor must have been some friend or neighbor,
whose coming would in no way startle or alarm Mr. Crawford, and whose
interest in the question of stocks was desperate.
And then Fleming Stone turned suddenly to Lemuel Porter, and said:
“Shall I go on, Mr. Porter, or will you confess here and now?”
It was as if a thunderbolt had fallen. Hitherto unsuspected, the guilt
of Lemuel Porter was now apparent beyond all doubt. White-faced and
shaking, his burning eyes glared at Fleming Stone.
“What are you?” he whispered, in hoarse, hissing tones. “I feared you,
and I was right to fear you. I have heard of you before. I tried to
prevent your coming here, but I could not. And I knew, when you came,
that I was doomed--doomed!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account