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The Deadly Tube
by
Again Craig paused to let his words sink into our minds.
“Now I wish to state that anything you gentlemen may say will be used against you. That is why I have asked you to bring your attorneys. You may consult with them, of course, while I am getting ready my next disclosure.”
As Kennedy had developed his points in the case I had been more and more amazed. But I had not failed to notice how keenly Lawrence was following him.
With half a sneer on his astute face, Lawrence drawled: “I cannot see that you have accomplished anything by this rather extraordinary summoning of us to your laboratory. The evidence is just as black against Dr. Gregory as before. You may think you’re clever, Kennedy, but on the very statement of facts as you have brought them out there is plenty of circumstantial evidence against Gregory–more than there was before. As for anyone else in the room, I can’t see that you have anything on us–unless perhaps this new evidence you speak of may implicate Asche, or Jameson,” he added, including me in a wave of his hand, as if he were already addressing a jury. “It’s my opinion that twelve of our peers would be quite as likely to bring in a verdict of guilty against them as against anyone else even remotely connected with this case, except Gregory. No, you’ll have to do better than this in your next case, if you expect to maintain that so-called reputation of yours for being a professor of criminal science.”
As for Close, taking his cue from his attorney, he scornfully added: “I came to find out some new evidence against the wretch who wrecked the beauty of my wife. All I’ve got is a tiresome lecture on X-rays and radium. I suppose what you say is true. Well, it only bears out what I thought before. Gregory treated my wife at home, after he saw the damage his office treatments had done. I guess he was capable of making a complete job out of it–covering up his carelessness by getting rid of the woman who was such a damning piece of evidence against his professional skill.”
Never a shade passed Craig’s face as he listened to this tirade. “Excuse me a moment,” was all he said, opening the door to leave the room. “I have just one more fact to disclose. I will be back directly.”
Kennedy was gone several minutes, during which Close and Lawrence fell to whispering behind their hands, with the assurance of those who believed that this was only Kennedy’s method of admitting a defeat. Gregory and Asche exchanged a few words similarly, and it was plain that Asche was endeavouring to put a better interpretation on something than Gregory himself dared hope.
As Kennedy re-entered, Close was buttoning up his coat preparatory to leaving, and Lawrence was lighting a fresh cigar.
In his hand Kennedy held a notebook. “My stenographer writes a very legible shorthand; at least I find it so–from long practice, I suppose. As I glance over her notes I find many facts which will interest you later–at the trial. But–ah, here at the end–let me read:
“‘Well, he’s very clever, but he has nothing against me, has he?’
“‘No, not unless he can produce the agent who bought the radium for you.’
“‘But he can’t do that. No one could ever have recognised you on your flying trip to London disguised as a diamond merchant who had just learned that he could make his faulty diamonds good by applications of radium and who wanted a good stock of the stuff.’
“‘Still, we’ll have to drop the suit against Gregory after all, in spite of what I said. That part is hopelessly spoiled.’
“‘Yes, I suppose so. Oh, well, I’m free now. She can hardly help but consent to a divorce now, and a quiet settlement. She brought it on herself–we tried every other way to do it, but she–she was too good to fall into it. She forced us to it.’