The reading completed, Mr.Bruff addressed me for the first time since we had been shut up together in the seclusion of his own room.
Franklin Blake, said the old gentleman, this is a very serious matter, in more respects than one.In my opinion, it concerns Rachel quite as nearly as it concerns you.Her extraordinary conduct is no mystery now.She believes you have stolen the Diamond.
I had shrunk from reasoning my own way fairly to that revolting conclusion.
But it had forced itself on me, nevertheless.My resolution to obtain a personal interview with Rachel, rested really and truly on the ground just stated by Mr.Bruff.
The first step to take in this investigation, the lawyer proceeded, is to appeal to Rachel.She has been silent all this time, from motives which I (who know her character) can readily understand.It is impossible, after what has happened, to submit to that silence any longer.She must be persuaded to tell us, or she must be forced to tell us, on what grounds she bases her belief that you took the Moonstone.The chances are, that the whole of this case, serious as it seems now, will tumble to pieces, if we can only break through Rachel's inveterate reserve, and prevail upon her to speak out.
That is a very comforting opinion for me , I said.Iown I should like to know--
You would like to know how I can justify it, interposed Mr.Bruff.Ican tell you in two minutes.Understand, in the first place, that I look at this matter from a lawyer's point of view.It's a question of evidence, with me.Very well.The evidence breaks down, at the outset, on one important point.
On what point?
You shall hear.I admit that the mark of the name proves the nightgown to be yours.I admit that the mark of the paint proves the nightgown to have made the smear on Rachel's door.But what evidence is there to prove that your are the person who wore it, on the night when the Diamond was lost?
The objection struck me, all the more forcibly that it reflected an objection which I had felt myself.
As to this, pursued the lawyer, taking up Rosanna Spearman's confession, I can understand that the letter is a distressing one to you.I can understand that you may hesitate to analyse it from a purely impartial point of view.But I am not in your position.
I can bring my professional experience to bear on this document, just as I should bring it to bear on any other.Without alluding to the woman's career as a thief, I will merely remark that her letter proves her to have been an adept at deception, on her own showing; and I argue from that, that I am justified in suspecting her of not having told the whole truth.
I won't start any theory, at present, as to what she may or may not have done.I will only say that, if Rachel has suspected you on the evidence of the nightgown only , the chances are ninety-nine to a hundred that Rosanna Spearman was the person who showed it to her.In that case, there is the woman's letter, confessing that she was jealous of Rachel, confessing that she changed the roses, confessing that she saw a glimpse of hope for herself, in the prospect of a quarrel between Rachel and you.I don't stop to ask who took the Moonstone (as a means to her end, Rosanna Spearman would have taken fifty Moonstones)--I only say that the disappearance of the jewel gave this reclaimed thief who was in love with you, an opportunity of setting you and Rachel at variance for the rest of your lives.She had not decided on destroying herself, then , remember; and, having the opportunity, I distinctly assert that it was in her character, and in her position at the time, to take it.What do you say to that?
Some such suspicion, I answered, crossed my own mind, as soon as I opened the letter.
Exactly! And when you had read the letter, you pitied the poor creature, and couldn't find it in your heart to suspect her.Does you credit, my dear sir--does you credit!
But suppose it turns out that I did wear the nightgown? What then?
I don't see how the fact is to be proved, said Mr.Bruff.But assuming the proof to be possible, the vindication of your innocence would be no easy matter.We won't go into that, now.Let us wait and see whether Rachel hasn't suspected you on the evidence of the nightgown only.
Good God, how coolly you talk of Rachel suspecting me! I broke out.What right has she to suspect Me, on any evidence, of being a thief?
A very sensible question, my dear sir.Rather hotly put--but well worth considering for all that.What puzzles you, puzzles me too.Search your memory, and tell me this.Did anything happen while you were staying at the house--not, of course, to shake Rachel's belief in your honour--but, let us say, to shake her belief (no matter with how little reason) in your principles generally?
I started, in ungovernable agitation, to my feet.The lawyer's question reminded me, for the first time since I had left England, that something had happened.
In the eighth chapter of Betteredge's Narrative, an allusion will be found to the arrival of a foreigner and a stranger at my aunt's house, who came to see me on business.The nature of his business was this.
I had been foolish enough (being, as usual, straitened for money at the time) to accept a loan from the keeper of a small restaurant in Paris, to whom I was well known as a customer.A time was settled between us for paying the money back; and when the time came, I found it (as thousands of other honest men have found it) impossible to keep my engagement.Isent the man a bill.My name was unfortunately too well known on such documents:
