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 can 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?"