友情提示:如果本网页打开太慢或显示不完整,请尝试鼠标右键“刷新”本网页!
读书室 返回本书目录 加入书签 我的书架 我的书签 TXT全本下载 『收藏到我的浏览器』

classic mystery and detective stories-第61部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完,想下次继续接着阅读,可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能!


have been the case had the story been an invention。  As to the

waistcoat which had figured so conspicuously in all the rumors; it

appeared that suspicion had monstrously exaggerated the facts。

Instead of a waistcoat plashed with bloodas popular imagination

pictured itit was a gray waistcoat; with one spot and a slight

smear of blood; which admitted of a very simple explanation。  Three

days before; Franz had cut his left hand in cutting some bread; and

to this the maid testified; because she was present when the

accident occurred。  He had not noticed that his waistcoat was

marked by it until the next day; and had forgotten to wash out the

stains。



People outside shook skeptical heads at this story of the cut hand。

The bloody waistcoat was not to be disposed of in that easy way。

It had fixed itself too strongly in their imagination。  Indeed; my

belief is that even could they have seen the waistcoat; its

insignificant marks would have appeared murderous patches to their

eyes。  I had seen it; and my report was listened to with ill…

concealed disbelief; when not with open protestation。  And when

Kerkel was discharged as free from all suspicion; there was a low

growl of disappointed wrath heard from numerous groups。



This may sympathetically be understood by whomsoever remembers the

painful uneasiness of the mind under a great stress of excitement

with no definite issue。  The lust for a vengeance; demanded by the

aroused sensibilities of compassion; makes men credulous in their

impatience; they easily believe anyone is guilty; because they feel

an imperious need for fastening the guilt upon some definite head。

Few verdicts of 〃Not Guilty〃 are well received; unless another

victim is at hand upon whom the verdict of guilty is likely to

fall。  It was demonstrable to all judicial minds that Kerkel was

wholly; pathetically innocent。  In a few days this gradually became

clear to the majority; but at first it was resisted as an attempt

to balk justice; and to the last there were some obstinate

doubters; who shook their heads mysteriously; and said; with a

certain incisiveness; 〃Somebody must have done it; I should very

much like to know who。〃



Suspicion once more was drifting aimlessly。  None had pointed in

any new direction。  No mention of anyone whom I could identify with

the stranger had yet been made; but; although silent on the

subject; I kept firm in my conviction; and I sometimes laughed at


the pertinacity with which I scrutinized the face of every man I

met; if he happened to have a black beard; and as black beards are

excessively common; my curiosity; though never gratified; was never

allowed repose。



Meanwhile Lieschen's funeral had been emphatically a public

mourning。  Nay; so great was the emotion; that it almost deadened

the interest which otherwise would have been so powerful; in the

news now daily reaching us from Paris。  Blood had flowed upon her

streetsin consequence of that pistol…shot; which; either by

accident or criminal intent; had converted the demonstration before

the hotel of the Minister of Foreign Affairs into an insurrection。

Paris had risen; barricades were erected。  The troops were under

arms。  This was agitating news。



Such is the solidarity of all European nations; and so quick are

all to vibrate in unison with the vibrations of each; that events

like those transacted in Paris necessarily stirred every city; no

matter how remote; nor politically how secure。  And it says much

for the intense interest excited by the Lehfeldt tragedy that

Nuremberg was capable of sustaining that interest even amid the

tremendous pressure of the February Revolution。  It is true that

Nuremberg is at all times somewhat sequestered from the great

movements of the day; following slowly in the rear of great waves;

it is true; moreover; that some politicians showed remarkable

eagerness in canvassing the characters and hopes of Louis Philippe

and Guizot; but although such events would at another period have

formed the universal interest; the impenetrable mystery hanging

over Lieschen's death threw the Revolution into the background of

their thoughts。  If when a storm is raging over the dreary

moorland; a human cry of suffering is heard at the door; at once

the thunders and the tumult sink into insignificance; and are not

even heard by the ear which is pierced with the feeble human voice:

the grandeurs of storm and tempest; the uproar of surging seas; the

clamorous wail of sea…birds amid the volleying artillery of heaven;

in vain assail the ear that has once caught even the distant cry of

a human agony; or serve only as scenical accompaniments to the

tragedy which is foreshadowed by that cry。  And so it was amid the

uproar of 1848。  A kingdom was in convulsions; but here; at our

door; a young girl had been murdered; and two hearths made

desolate。  Rumors continued to fly about。  The assassin was always

about to be discovered; but he remained shrouded in impenetrable

darkness。  A remark made by Bourgonef struck me much。  Our host;

Zum Bayerischen Hof; one day announced with great satisfaction that

he had himself heard from the syndic that the police were on the

traces of the assassin。



〃I am sorry to hear it;〃 said Bourgonef。



The guests paused from eating; and looked at him with astonishment。



〃It is a proof;〃 he added; 〃that even the police now give it up as

hopeless。  I always notice that whenever the police are said to be

on the traces the malefactor is never tracked。  When they are on

his traces they wisely say nothing about it; they allow it to be

believed that they are baffled; in order to lull their victim into

a dangerous security。  When they know themselves to be baffled;

there is no danger in quieting the public mind; and saving their

own credit; by announcing that they are about to be successful。〃





IV



A DISCOVERY





Bourgonef's remark had been but too sagacious。  The police were

hoplessly baffled。  In all such cases possible success depends upon

the initial suggestion either of a motive which leads to a

suspicion of the person; or of some person which leads to a

suspicion of the motive。  Once set suspicion on the right track;

and evidence is suddenly alight in all quarters。  But; unhappily;

in the present case there was no assignable motive; no shadow

darkening any person。



An episode now came to our knowledge in which Bourgonef manifested

an unusual depth of interest。  I was led to notice this interest;

because it had seemed to me that in the crime itself; and the

discussions which arose out of it; he shared but little of the

universal excitement。  I do not mean that he was indifferentby no

means; but the horror of the crime did not seem to fascinate his

imagination as it fascinated ours。  He could talk quite as readily

of other things; and far more readily of the French affairs。  But

on the contrary; in this new episode he showed peculiar interest。

It appeared that Lehfeldt; moved; perhaps; partly by a sense of the

injustice which had been done to Kerkel in even suspecting him of

the crime; and in submitting him to an examination more poignantly

affecting to him under such circumstances than a public trial would

have been under others; and moved partly by the sense that

Lieschen's love had practically drawn Kerkel within the familyfor

her choice of him as a husband had made him morally; if not

legally; a son…in…law; and moved partly by the sense of loneliness

which had now settled on their childless home;Lehfeldt had in the

most pathetic and considerate terms begged Kerkel to take the place

of his adopted son; and become joint partner with him in the

business。  This; however; Kerkel had gently yet firmly declined。

He averred that he felt no injury; though great pain had been

inflicted on him by the examination。  He himself in such a case

would not have shrunk from demanding that his own brother should be

tried; under suspicions of similar urgency。  It was simple justice

that all who were suspected should be examined; justice also to

them that they might for ever clear themselves of doubtful

appearances。  But for the rest; while he felt his old affectionate

respect for his master; he could recognize no claim to be removed

from his present position。  Had she lived; said the heartbroken

youth; he would gladly have consented to accept any fortune which

her love might bestow; because he felt that his own love and the

devotion of a life might repay it。  But there was nothing now that

he could give in exchange。  For his services he was amply paid; his

feelings towards Lieschen's parents must continue what they had

ever been。  In vain Lehfeldt pleaded; in vain many friends argued。

Franz remained respectfully firm in his refusal。



This; as I said; interested Bourgonef immensely。  He seemed to

enter completely into the minds of the sorrowing; pleading parents;

and the sorrowing;
返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0
快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
温馨提示: 温看小说的同时发表评论,说出自己的看法和其它小伙伴们分享也不错哦!发表书评还可以获得积分和经验奖励,认真写原创书评 被采纳为精评可以获得大量金币、积分和经验奖励哦!