The Crimson Cryptogram: A Detective Story — David Hume — John Shaqi
The Crimson Cryptogram: A Detective Story
David Hume · en
Nevertheless, when his mind was less occupied with material things,
the feeling about Mrs. Moxton revived, and he waited impatiently for
the hour of three. It would seem that circumstances were about to
involve him in the drama,--it might be tragedy--of this woman's life,
and he felt eager for the call to step on the stage. What part would
be assigned to him he could not guess. Was he to be the husband of the
heroine or merely the friend, or would he pose as the foil to that
shadowy lover in whose existence and guilt Cass believed? Altogether
Ellis was in the dark, afraid to venture forward for fear of the
unknown. He waited for a hand to draw him on to his doom--in plain
English, for the hand and guidance of Mrs. Moxton. These strange
thoughts, passing through the doctor's mind, made him fear that its
usually accurate balance was disturbed.
Shortly after three o'clock struck from the bran-new brick tower of
the bran-new Dukesfield church, he saw her walking briskly down the
road. Even in his pre-occupation he noted her trim figure, the decided
way in which she set down and lifted her feet, and the general air of
alert resolution which stamped her whole being. Here was a woman of
mind, of decision, of character, with few feminine failings, and more
than ever Ellis wondered at her past history, as related by herself at
the inquest. He began to suspect that there might be something after
all in the ideas of Harry Cass. Mrs. Basket declared the woman "was a
deep 'un." That also might be true.
"Good news! good news!" cried Mrs. Moxton, when she arrived. "I have
seen Mr. Busham and I am right. Old Moxton made a will leaving the
property to Edgar."
"But he is dead. How do you stand now?"
The widow let the gate click behind her, and walked up the path with a
wrinkled brow, betokening thought. "That depends upon Edgar's will."
"Did he make one?"
"I think so. In one of his good humours he made a will leaving all his
property to me. I believe the will was signed and witnessed at Monte
Carlo. He told me about it, but I never saw it."
"Then how do you know it exists?"
"Edgar told me of it," repeated Mrs. Moxton. "It will no doubt be in
his despatch-box, or in this room."
By this time the pair were again in the cheerful parlour, and her gaze
was fixed upon a well-filled bookcase. "I should not wonder if it was
hidden amongst the books," said Mrs. Moxton, pensively.
Ellis showed some amazement at this strange remark. "Why should he
have put a valuable document amongst his books, Mrs. Moxton?"
The widow sat down and signed to Ellis to do likewise. "My dear
doctor, do you know anything about drunken men?"
This was even a stranger remark than the former.
"I have come into contact with them," said Ellis, with a slight smile,
"but what has that to do with this will?"