The White Rose of MemphisFalkner, William C. (Clark)
General
The White Rose of Memphis
Falkner, William C. (Clark)
Memphis (Tenn.) -- Fiction
“‘Just so, Mr. Wallingford, no doubt you would; and that is what brought
us here to-day. I am well aware of the interest you feel in Miss
Bramlett’s case, and so told my remarkable sister, and she also
appreciated the situation very much. By the by, Dabbs, don’t you think
we had better tell Mr. Wallingford what my remarkable sister knows about
the case?’
“‘I think we had, Mr. Tadpoddle; but let them be told after the other
facts have been related--nothing like beginning at the right end, you
know. There are two ways to tell anything--one right way, and one wrong
way; always commence a story at the right end, you see. What your sister
knows comes last, in order to make the chain of evidence complete.’
“‘Ah, yes, Dabbs, I perceive now that you are right. Well, you tell Mr.
Wallingford about the other things, and when it comes to my sister’s
part, then let me in.’
“I was losing my self-possession, and felt as if I must do something
rash very soon; I think I should have hurled a lump of coal at Mr.
Tadpoddle’s little gourd head, but my attention was diverted to Mr.
Dabbs, who began to take something from his pocket-book.
“‘This little parcel, Mr. Wallingford, is a dose of strychnine similar
to the one that killed Miss Bramlett’s little brother. Well, what of
that? is the question that naturally would come up in your mind. You’ll
observe, Mr. Wallingford, that I am only drawing an inference as to
ideas, etc., which would be likely to present themselves. Well, what if
that is strychnine? you say. Very good! I reply, The deceased was
murdered with strychnine. Some one administered the poison. Who? ah!
that’s the question. I answer without hesitation: Miss Bramlett.’
“‘Tis false!’ exclaimed Harry, as he made at the detective with eyes
flashing with rage. ‘I’ll choke the breath from the villain’s lungs who
dares to accuse Miss Bramlett.’
“I quickly placed myself before Harry, and prevented him from choking
Mr. Dabbs, and endeavored to keep him quiet, though I thought a little
pressure on Dabbs’ wind-pipe would have been justifiable. I succeeded in
getting Harry to resume his seat, then requested Mr. Dabbs to proceed.
“‘If Mr. Wallingford is unwilling to hear facts,’ said Dabbs, ‘we had
better let the interview terminate here. It is our duty, as officers of
the law, to close our eyes to consequences, and bring facts to light. We
can’t consider the feelings and wishes of individuals, in our searches
after truth; if we did, we should accomplish nothing. We do not make
evidence, we only bring to light that which is made by circumstances and
concealed by fraud. If the evidence that we have discovered does not
please Mr. Wallingford, we will not thrust it on his hearing, but will
deliver it to the officers of the law, whose duty it is to use it in
punishing the guilty, and protecting the innocent.’
“‘You are right, Mr. Dabbs, and I was wrong,’ said Harry, as he leaned
his head down on the window-sill and sighed sadly. ‘Tell us the worst at
once.’
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