Detective and mystery stories; London (England) -- Fiction; Trials (Murder) -- Fiction
Unfortunately, Captain Jadby fell in love with the prisoner, and
wished to marry her. She refused to become his wife, on the plea that
she loved Mr. Edward Shepworth, and was engaged to him. Sir Oliver was
annoyed at the engagement, as he desired the marriage with Captain
Jadby to take place. On the day of his death he quarrelled seriously
with the prisoner, and, according to Madame Marie Eppingrave's
evidence--since she was present during the quarrel--Sir Oliver stated
that if the prisoner did not marry Captain Jadby he would disinherit
her. Prisoner still refused, and retired to her room, saying that she
would not reappear until Captain Jadby was out of the house. For the
sake of peace Jadby went up to London that same day, with the
intention of returning by the ten o'clock train. Then, if prisoner
still remained obdurate, he intended to say good-bye to his host, and
leave for the Colonies within the week.
"And now, gentlemen of the jury," continued Counsel, with another
hitch of his gown, "we come to the most important part of the story.
Previous to going to London, Captain Jadby had a wordy quarrel with
Mr. Shepworth, and from words the quarrel came to blows. Mr.
Shepworth's foot slipped and he slightly sprained his ankle, so that
he was not able to leave Lanwin Grange, as he desired. His position
was an unpleasant one, since Sir Oliver was not well disposed towards
him on account of the engagement which existed with the prisoner. As
Captain Jadby had left the Grange, Mr. Shepworth wished to go also,
and would have gone, but that his sprained ankle prevented his
removal, and he therefore remained in his room. Now, gentlemen, you
can see the position of the several people connected with this matter
at the time when the crime was committed. Captain Jadby was in London,
intending to return at ten o'clock; Mr. Shepworth was in his room with
a sprained ankle which prevented his leaving it; the prisoner was also
in her room, and even though Captain Jadby had departed, for the time
being, she declined to come down to dinner. Madame Marie Eppingrave
and Sir Oliver dined alone, and then the baronet retired to his
library, where until nine o'clock--according to Madame Marie's
evidence--he chatted with her on occult subjects. Also, as Madame
Marie will state, Sir Oliver expressed himself strongly on the subject
of the prisoner's refusal of Jadby.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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