the darrow enigma(达罗之迷)-第51章
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replied： 〃A good many things。〃 〃Well； then；〃 I rejoined； 〃what are some
of them？〃 He hesitated a moment and then replied laughingly： 〃You see
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I hate to acknowledge the falsity of my theories。 I said shortly after the
murder was committed that I thought the assassin was short and probably
did not weigh over one hundred and thirty…five pounds； that he most likely
had some especial reason for concealing his footprints； and that he had a
peculiarity in his gait。 I felt tolerably sure then of all this； but now it
turns out that M。 Latour is six feet tall in his stockings； and thin； and that；
emaciated as he is； he tips the scales at one hundred and fifty pounds by
reason of his large frame。 His feet are as commonplace as … as yours；
Doc； and his gait as regular as … mine。 Is it to be expected that I am going
to give up all my pet illusions without a struggle？〃
When the hour for the trial arrived Gwen insisted on accompanying us
to the court…room。 She had a great deal of confidence in George and felt
sure that； as he expressed a strong doubt of the prisoner's guilt； he would
triumph in proving him innocent。 She determined； therefore； to be
present at the trial； even before her attendance should be required as a
witness。
M。 Latour； when he was led into the prisoner's box； seemed to have
aged greatly during his incarceration。 It was with a marked effort that he
arose and straightened himself up as the indictment was read to him。
When the words： 〃Are you guilty or not guilty？〃 were addressed to him
every eye was turned upon him and every ear listened to catch the first
sound of his voice； but no sound came。 The question was repeated more
loudly； 〃Are you guilty or not guilty？〃 Like one suddenly awakened from
a reverie M。 Latour started； turned toward his questioner； and in a full；
firm voice replied：〃 Guilty；！〃 I was so dumfounded that I could offer
Gwen no word of comfort to alleviate this sudden shock。 Maitland and
Godin seemed about the only ones in the court…room who were not taken
off their feet； so to speak； by this unexpected plea； and George was at
Gwen's side in a moment and whispered something to her which I could
not hear； but which I could see had a very beneficial effect upon her。 We
had all expected a long； complicated trial； and here the whole matter was
reduced to a mere formality by M。 Latour's simple confession； 〃Guilty！〃
Is it any wonder； therefore； that we were taken aback？
While we were recovering from our surprise at this sudden turn of
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affairs； Maitland was engaged in private conversation with the Judge； with
whom； he afterward told me； he had become well acquainted both in his
own cases and in those of other lawyers requiring his services as
an=20expert chemist。 He never told me what passed between them； nor
the substance of any of the brief interviews which followed with the
prosecuting attorney； his associate counsel； and other legal functionaries。
All I know is that when the case was resumed M。 Latour's senior counsel；
Jenkins； kept carefully in the background； leaving the practical conduct of
the case in Maitland's hands。
If a hazelnut had the shell of a cocoanut； its meat would； in my opinion；
sustain about the same relation to its bulk as the gist of the usual legal
proceeding sustains to the mass of verbiage in which it is enshrouded。
For this reason you will not expect me to give a detailed account of this
trial。 I couldn't if I would； and I wouldn't if I could。 My knowledge of
legal procedure is far from profound； albeit I once began the study of law。
My memories of Blackstone are such as need prejudice no ambitious
aspirant for legal honours。 I have a recollection that somewhere
Blackstone says something about eavesdropping； … I mean in its literal
sense … something about the drippings from A's roof falling on B's estate；
but for the life of me I couldn't tell what he says。 More distinctly do I
remember this learned lawgiver stated that there could be no doubt of the
evidence of witchcraft； because the Bible was full of it； and that witches
should be punished with death。 This made an impression upon me；
because it was an instance； rare to me then； but common enough now； of
how minds； otherwise exceptionally able； may have a spot so encankered
with creed； bigotry； and superstition as to render their judgments
respecting certain classes of phenomena erroneous and illogical； puerile
and ridiculous。
But to return to those points of the trial which I can remember； and
which I think of sufficient interest to put before you。 These refer chiefly
to Maitland's examination of M。 Latour； and of the government's chief
witness； M。 Godin。 Such portions of their testimony as I shall put before
you I shall quote exactly as it was given and reported by Maitland's friend；
Simonds。
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When Maitland began for the defence he said：
〃At about half…past seven on the night of the 22d of April； John
Darrow met his death at his home in Dorchester。 He died in the presence
of his daughter； Messrs。 Willard； Browne； Herne； and myself。 His death
was caused by injecting a virulent poison into his system through a slight
incision in his neck。 That wound the prisoner before you confesses he
himself inflicted。 I would like to know a little more definitely how he
succeeded in doing it without detection； in the presence； not only of his
victim； but of five other persons sitting close about him。 M。 Latour will
please take the stand。〃
As M。 Latour stepped into the witness…box； a wave of suppressed
excitement ran all over the court…room。 Every nerve was strained to its
tensest pitch； every ear eager for the slightest syllable he might utter。
What could be done for a man who had confessed； and what would be the
solution of the crime which had so long defied the authorities？ The
explanation was now to be made and it is no wonder that the excitement
was intense。
I omit all uninteresting formalities。
Q。 Have you ever seen me before to…day？
A。 Not to my knowledge。
Q。 Have you any reason to believe I have ever seen you before to…day？
A。 None whatever … er … that is … unless on the night of the murder。
Q。 Were you acquainted with John Darrow？
A。 Yes。
Q。 How long have you known him？
A。 About six months … perhaps seven。
Q。 What were your relations？
A。 I don't understand。 … We had gambled together。
Q。 Where？
A。 In this city … Decatur Street。 =20
Q。 What motive led you to kill him？
A。 He cheated me at cards； and I swore to be even with him。
Q。
