The Millionaire Mystery — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Millionaire Mystery
John Stuart Mill · en
It proved to be Mrs. Marry, who came in with part of a torn envelope
in her hand. On the envelope was an obliterated stamp, but the writing
had been torn off.
"I found this in Mr. Brown's room," she said, "on the floor by the
edge of the carpet. How it escaped my dusting I don't know."
Blair looked at this piece of evidence.
"Jamaica stamp," he said.
"Strange!" cried the Rector. "I know Marlow was at one time in
Jamaica."
"And my husband, Dr. Warrender, came from Jamaica," said the widow.
There was silence. They looked at one another. But no one had any
explanation to offer.
CHAPTER X.
ANOTHER DISAPPEARANCE
In the course of his investigations Mr. Blair had examined the
servants at the Moat House. From the footman he heard of the West
Indian letter, and of the effect it had produced upon Mr. Marlow.
Search had been made for that letter as likely to throw some light on
the mystery, but without success. Evidently Mr. Marlow had thought it
important enough to destroy. His secret, whatever it might have been,
had gone to the grave with him. It was a strange coincidence that the
man Brown should also have a correspondent in Jamaica. He it was who
had stolen the key of the vault from Alan's desk. Again, Dr.
Warrender--who, as his wife told Alan, had been in Jamaica--had
been murdered. Between these three men, then--Marlow, Brown and
Warrender--there was evidently some connecting-link. Had there not
been, Warrender would not have assisted to remove the body of the
millionaire, and Brown, by stealing the key, would not have helped
him.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Brown was the short man seen by
Gramp," Blair said to Alan. "And he was followed from Mrs. Marry's by
Dr. Warrender, who was bound on the same errand."
"You mean the theft of the body?"
"I think so. Brown had the key and Gramp saw them remove the corpse."
"He saw Warrender," corrected Alan, "not Brown."
"I judge the other was Brown, from the theft of the key and the fact
that Warrender called to see him, and then followed. Again, both men
have disappeared--at least, one has. The other is dead."
"And who murdered him?"
"Brown," said the inspector, with conviction. "I am sure of it."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because something unforeseen happened--the murder, probably. In the
ordinary course of things, I take it, Brown would have come back to
fetch his luggage, and would have gone away in a manner less likely to
arouse suspicion. Probably he and Warrender had a quarrel when they
put the corpse in the cart. Brown killed the doctor, and then drove
away."
"But, Blair," argued Alan, "you forget that the doctor's body was seen
in the hut. Even if Brown had dragged it there--which, I admit, he
might have done--I don't see how he could have brought it back again
to the vault."