the darrow enigma(达罗之迷)-第58章
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ability to prove conclusively all he had undertaken。
I need not describe to you my interview with Jeannette。 There are
things concerning it which； even at this late day； when their roseate hue
glows but dimly in the blue retrospect of the past； … it would seem
sacrilege for me to mention to another。 Believe me； I am perfectly aware
of your inquisitive nature； and I know that this omission may nettle you。
Charge it all up； then； to the perversity of a bachelor in the throes of his
first； last； and only love experience。 You must see that such things
cannot be conveyed to another with anything like their real significance。
Were I to say I was carried beyond myself by her protestations of gratitude
until； in a delirium of joy； I seized her in my arms and covered her with
kisses； do you for a moment fancy you could appreciate my feelings？ Do
you imagine that the little tingle of sympathy which you might experience
were I to say that； instead of pushing me from her； I felt her clasp tighten
about me； … would tell you anything of the great torrent of hot blood that
deluged my heart as she lay there in my arms； quivering ecstatically at
every kiss？ No！ a thousand times no！ Therefore have I thought best
to say nothing about it。 Our love can keep its own secrets。 … But alas！ this
was long ago； and as I sit here alone writing this to you； I cannot but
wonder； with a heavy sense of ever…present longing； where on this great
earth Jeannette … 'my Jeannette；' I have learned to call her … is now。 You
see a bachelor's love…affair is a serious thing； and years cannot always
efface it。 But to return to the past：
Jeannette； I think； was not more pleased than Gwen at the turn affairs
had taken。 Indeed； so exuberant was Gwen in her quiet way that I
marvelled much at the change in her； so much； indeed； that finally I
determined to question Alice about it。
〃I can understand；〃 I said to her； 〃why Gwen； on account of her
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sympathy and love for Jeannette； should be glad that M。 Latour is likely to
be acquitted。 I can also appreciate the distaste she may have felt at the
prospect of having to deal with M。 Godin under the terms of her father's
will； but even both of these considerations seem to me insufficient to
account for her present almost ecstatic condition。 There is an
immediateness to her joy which could hardly result from mere release
from a future disagreeable possibility。 How do you account for it； sis？〃
Alice's answer was somewhat enigmatical and didn't give me the
information I sought。 〃Ned；〃 she replied；〃 I'll pay for the tickets to the
first circus that comes here； just to see if you can find the trunks on the
elephants。〃 Do my best； I couldn't make her enlighten me any further； for；
to every question； she replied with a most provoking laugh。
Maitland called and spent most of the next day； which was Sunday；
with us； and we all talked matters over。 He did not seem either to share
or understand Gwen's exuberance of spirits； albeit one could easily
observe that he had a measure of that satisfaction which always comes
from success。 More than once I saw him glance questioningly at Gwen
with a look which said plainly enough： 〃What is the meaning of this
remarkable change？ Why should it so matter to her whether M。 Latour's
or M。 Godin's death avenges her father's murder？〃 When he left us at
night I could see he had not answered that question to his own satisfaction。
CHAPTER III
The Devil throws double sixes when he turns genius heliward。
The next morning after the events last narrated I was utterly
dumfounded by an article which met my gaze the instant I took up my
paper。 It was several moments before I sufficiently recovered my
faculties to read it aloud to Gwen； Alice； and Jeannette； all of whom had
noticed my excitement； and were waiting with such patience as they could
command。 I read the following article through from beginning to end
without pause or comment：
M。 Godin Anticipates the Law。 … The Real Murderer of John
Darrow Writes His Confession and Then Suicides in His Cell。 …
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The Darrow Enigma
Contrived to Mix His Own Poison Under the Very Nose of His Jailer！
…=20 The Dorchester Mystery Solved at Last。 … Full Description of the
Life of One of the Cleverest Criminals of the Century。
At 4。30 this morning M。 Godin was found dead in his cell； No。 26； at
Charles Street Jail。 The manner of his death might still be a mystery had
he not left a written confession of his crime and the summary manner of
his taking off。 This was written yesterday afternoon and evening； M。
Godin being permitted to have a light on the ground that he had important
legal documents to prepare for use on the morrow。 We give below the
confession in full。
〃I am beaten at a game in which I did my own shuffling。 I never
believe in trying to bluff a full hand。 Had I had but ordinary detectives
with whom to deal； I make bold to say I should have come off rich and
triumphant。 'I had no means of knowing that I was to play with a chemist
who would use against me the latest scientific implements of criminal
warfare。 It is； therefore； to the extraordinary means used for my
detection that I impute my defeat； rather than to any bungling of my own。
This is a grim consolation； but it is still a consolation； for I have always
prided myself upon being an artist in my line。 As I propose to put myself
beyond the reach of further cross…examination； I take this opportunity to
make a last statement of such things as I care to have known。 After this
is finished I shall sup on acetate of lead and bid good…night to the
expectant public。
〃Lest some may marvel how I came by this poison； and even lay
suspicions upon my jailers； let me explain that there is a small piece of
lead water…pipe crossing the west angle of my room。 This being Sunday；
I was permitted to have beans and brown bread for breakfast。 I asked for
a little vinegar for my beans； and a small cruet was brought to me。 I had
no difficulty in secreting a considerable quantity of the vinegar in order
that I might； when occasion served； apply it to the lead pipe。 This I have
done； and have now by me enough acetate of lead to kill a dozen men。
This form of death will not be particularly pleasant； I am aware； but I
prefer it to its only alternative。 So much for that。
〃I was horn in Marseilles； and my right name is Jean Fouchet。 My
