The Mystery of the Clasped Hands: A NovelBoothby, Guy
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The Mystery of the Clasped Hands: A Novel
Boothby, Guy
Detective and mystery stories; Fiction
“I respectfully submit that I am in the right,” said Rolland. “In
eliciting this information I am leading up to the question of motive,
and I am sure my learned friend will admit that that is an all-important
point.
“I am afraid I must rule against you,” said the judge, addressing the
Prosecuting counsel. “Anything that tends to throw a light upon the
proceedings of the deceased so short a time prior to the murder can
scarcely fail to be relevant.”
Once more readjusting his gown, Mr. Rolland invited Burrell to proceed.
“How long did witness and the deceased occupy the house at Laleham?”
“For more than a fortnight. Then Fensden left her in a strange place
without a penny in the world.” (Here a murmur of indignation ran through
the Court, which, by the judge’s orders, was instantly suppressed.)
“That will do,” said Mr. Rolland. “Call Elizabeth Raikes.”
The owner of Laburnum Cottage next entered the box, and, though much
flurried by the novel position in which she found herself, gave evidence
to the effect that the deceased and Fensden had occupied apartments at
her house for the period mentioned by the previous witness. She was
quite sure, from things she had overheard, that they were not happy
together, and she knew that the man treated the woman cruelly. Sometimes
he was away for a couple of days, and one day he disappeared altogether
without paying for anything they had had while in the house, and leaving
his wife totally unprovided for. She had heard the present case talked
about, but had not associated the victim with the Mrs. Onslow who had
occupied rooms at her cottage.
“I have two more witnesses to call,” said Mr. Rolland, when Mrs. Raikes
had stepped down. “Then, my lord, I shall have completed my case. Call
Mrs. Wilhelmina Montgomery.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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