Miss Arnott's Marriage
Copyright© 2024 by Richard Marsh
Chapter 33: On His Own Confession
Hugh Morice had been resorting to that medicine--in whose qualifications to minister to a mind diseased he more than half believed--a ride upon his motor car. Of late he had found nothing to clear the cobwebs from his brain so effectually as a whiz through the air. That afternoon, after he had left Exham Park, he had felt that his brain stood very much in need of a clearance. So he had gone for a long run on his car.
He was returning through the shadows, partially cured, when he found what, in that part of the world, might be described as a crowd, obstructing his passage through the village street. Stopping to inquire what was the cause of the unusual concourse, he realised that the crowd was loitering in front of Granger’s cottage--the local stronghold of the County Police. As he did so he was conscious that a shiver passed all over him, which he was able neither to account for nor to control. The answers, however, which the villagers gave to his hurried questions, threw a lurid light upon the matter, and inspired him, on the instant, with a great resolve. Dismounting, he entered the cottage, just as Mr Nunn was addressing his remarks to Mr Granger. As he heard he understood that, if what he proposed to do was to be of the slightest effect, he had arrived in the very nick of time.
They, on their part, stared at him half bewildered, half amazed. He had on a long motor coat which shrouded him from head to foot; a cap which covered not only his ears but also part of his face; while his disguise was completed by a pair of huge goggles. It was only when he removed these latter that--in spite of the dust which enveloped him as flour over a miller--they recognised who he was. He repeated his own words in a slightly different form.
“You were saying, Mr Nunn, that you were requiring the services of a magistrate. How can I serve you in that capacity?”
The detective stared at the gigantic figure, towering over his own by no means insignificant inches, still in doubt as to who he was.
“I ought to know you; but, somehow, I don’t feel as if I can place you exactly, sir.”
Mr Morice smiled.
“Tell him, Granger, who I am.”
Mr Granger explained.
“This is Mr Hugh Morice, of Oak Dene, Justice of the Peace for this division of the county. You can’t have forgotten him, Mr Nunn; he used to be present at the coroner’s inquest.”
“Of course; now that Granger reminds me I remember you very well, Mr Morice. You have arrived at a fortunate moment for me, sir. I was just about to start off in search of a magistrate, and that, in the country, at this time of night, sometimes means a long job. I wish to lay an information before you, sir, and ask for a warrant.”
Mr Morice glanced at the three women.
“In presence of these persons?”
“I don’t know that Mrs Granger need stop, or Mrs Wilson either. Mrs Granger, you’d better take Mrs Wilson with you. It is partly in consequence of a statement which this young woman has just been making that I ask you for a warrant. Now, Mrs Wilson, off you go.”
But Mrs Wilson showed reluctance.
“I don’t know why I’m to be sent away--especially as it’s my own daughter--”
Hugh Morice cut her short brusquely, --
“Leave the room!”
Mrs Wilson showed him something of that deference which she had hitherto declined to show to anyone else. Mrs Granger touched her on the shoulder.
“I’m coming! I’m sure, Susan Granger, there’s no need for you to show me. No one can ever say I stop where I am not wanted.”
When the two elder women had disappeared, Hugh Morice turned his attention to Wilson the housemaid.
“Who is this young person?”
Mr Nunn informed him. Her story was gone through again. When she had finished Mr Morice dismissed her to join her mother and her aunt.
“Now, Mr Nunn, what do you want from me?”
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.