The Moonstone - Page 388/404

There is here, moral, if not legal, evidence, that the murder was

committed by the Indians.

Whether the man personating a mechanic was, or was not, an accomplice

in the crime, it is impossible to say. That he could have committed the

murder alone, seems beyond the limits of probability. Acting by himself,

he could hardly have smothered Mr. Ablewhite--who was the taller and

stronger man of the two--without a struggle taking place, or a cry being

heard. A servant girl, sleeping in the next room, heard nothing. The

landlord, sleeping in the room below, heard nothing. The whole evidence

points to the inference that more than one man was concerned in this

crime--and the circumstances, I repeat, morally justify the conclusion

that the Indians committed it.

I have only to add, that the verdict at the Coroner's Inquest was Wilful

Murder against some person, or persons, unknown. Mr. Ablewhite's family

have offered a reward, and no effort has been left untried to discover

the guilty persons. The man dressed like a mechanic has eluded

all inquiries. The Indians have been traced. As to the prospect of

ultimately capturing these last, I shall have a word to say to you on

that head, when I reach the end of the present Report.

In the meanwhile, having now written all that is needful on the subject

of Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite's death, I may pass next to the narrative of

his proceedings before, during, and after the time, when you and he met

at the late Lady Verinder's house.

CHAPTER Second Period Sixth Narrative - Chapter III With regard to the subject now in hand, I may state, at the outset, that

Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite's life had two sides to it.

The side turned up to the public view, presented the spectacle of

a gentleman, possessed of considerable reputation as a speaker at

charitable meetings, and endowed with administrative abilities, which

he placed at the disposal of various Benevolent Societies, mostly of

the female sort. The side kept hidden from the general notice, exhibited

this same gentleman in the totally different character of a man of

pleasure, with a villa in the suburbs which was not taken in his own

name, and with a lady in the villa, who was not taken in his own name,

either.

My investigations in the villa have shown me several fine pictures

and statues; furniture tastefully selected, and admirably made; and a

conservatory of the rarest flowers, the match of which it would not be

easy to find in all London. My investigation of the lady has resulted in

the discovery of jewels which are worthy to take rank with the flowers,

and of carriages and horses which have (deservedly) produced a sensation

in the Park, among persons well qualified to judge of the build of the

one, and the breed of the others.