You must have been very anxious to see
him.
You know you ought to go and see your
sister.
That’s all very well, replied the detective; but
why did he hide?
Smith, who wore a broad grin, bore no appearance of
longing for anything. But do you expect him to tell you that in the witness – is
box?
I rather fancy you suspected me of being an eminent
and distinguished burglar. As yet I’ve nothing to go on to prove the man’s
innocence, except the man. Why, because it led nowhere, of course, cried Father
Brown explosively.
Devine nodded gloomily, and the detective turned
back to his papers. That was also the ghost the servant at Beechwood saw, said
Carver dryly.
Carver, you have certainly worked out a very
complete case in a very masterly way.
Devine nodded gloomily, and the detective turned
back to his papers.
It would look like the master of the house—if only
the reflection were a little like him. I knew this dead man very well indeed; I was
his confessor, and his friend. Where they generally are in such cases, said
Carver.
I know what he looked like, answered Father Brown
quietly. We try to be friends with all our neighbours.
Pray don’t let anybody move, said the man called
Carver, in clear and courteous tones.
He was far too capable a burglar to be a murderer.
People almost felt that he would have been more human if he had.
He was worthy to be turned into legend and not
merely into news. Then he said gently:You know what I am and what we
are.
The list sounds rather long and dull; but I think
it’s exhaustive.
But, more often, even these acts have a rational
explanation.