登陆注册
15386700000012

第12章

T.X.folded the telegram very carefully and slipped it into his waistcoat pocket.

He favoured the newcomer with a little bow and taking upon himself the honours of the establishment, pushed a chair to his visitor.

"I think you know my name," said Kara easily, "I am a friend of poor Lexman's.""So I am told," said T.X.,"but don't let your friendship for Lexman prevent your sitting down."For a moment the Greek was nonplussed and then, with a little smile and bow, he seated himself by the writing table.

"I am very distressed at this happening," he went on, "and I am more distressed because I feel that as I introduced Lexman to this unfortunate man, I am in a sense responsible.""If I were you," said T.X., leaning back in the chair and looking half questioningly and half earnestly into the face of the other, "I shouldn't let that fact keep me awake at night.Most people are murdered as a result of an introduction.The cases where people murder total strangers are singularly rare.That I think is due to the insularity of our national character."Again the other was taken back and puzzled by the flippancy of the man from whom he had expected at least the official manner.

"When did you see Mr.Vassalaro last?" asked T.X.pleasantly.

Kara raised his eyes as though considering.

"I think it must have been nearly a week ago.""Think again," said T.X.

For a second the Greek started and again relaxed into a smile.

"I am afraid," he began.

"Don't worry about that," said T.X.,"but let me ask you this question.You were here last night when Mr.Lexman received a letter.That he did receive a letter, there is considerable evidence," he said as he saw the other hesitate, "because we have the supporting statements of the servant and the postman.""I was here," said the other, deliberately, "and I was present when Mr.Lexman received a letter."T.X.nodded.

"A letter written on some brownish paper and rather bulky," he suggested.

Again there was that momentary hesitation.

"I would not swear to the color of the paper or as to the bulk of the letter," he said.

"I should have thought you would," suggested T.X.,"because you see, you burnt the envelope, and I presumed you would have noticed that.""I have no recollection of burning any envelope," said the other easily.

"At any rate," T.X.went on, "when Mr.Lexman read this letter out to you...""To which letter are you referring?" asked the other, with a lift of his eyebrows.

"Mr.Lexman received a threatening letter," repeated T.X.

patiently, "which he read out to you, and which was addressed to him by Vassalaro.This letter was handed to you and you also read it.Mr.Lexman to your knowledge put the letter in his safe - in a steel drawer."The other shook his head, smiling gently.

"I am afraid you've made a great mistake," he said almost apologetically, "though I have a recollection of his receiving a letter, I did not read it, nor was it read to me."The eyes of T.X.narrowed to the very slits and his voice became metallic and hard.

"And if I put you into the box, will you swear, that you did not see that letter, nor read it, nor have it read to you, and that you have no knowledge whatever of such a letter having been received by Mr.Lexman?""Most certainly," said the other coolly.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 决战校园

    决战校园

    两个现代高中生因为一次梦中奇遇卷进了一场现代校园武林的腥风血雨之中。他们必须尽快找到真正的幕后黑手,阻止古代、现代两个时代的共同浩劫。面对未知的危险,他们将如何抉择?又该如何面对同学之间、师生之间各种感情?
  • 富丫头爱上学霸

    富丫头爱上学霸

    本宝宝是初次写小说,请大家多多支持和指教,谢谢
  • 科技捉鬼团

    科技捉鬼团

    我是一个不会道法、不会法术,被逐出师门的小道士;我有一本秘籍《真武道藏》,一个奇葩四人组合的捉鬼团队,整套的高科技武装的捉鬼装备;一个用科技手段和科技装备捉鬼的团队,想了解更多吗?
  • 洪武圣魂

    洪武圣魂

    一本囊括世间万物的奇书,造就的悲歌。七道天魂三道地魂挽救万古浩劫。
  • 桃色千金攻

    桃色千金攻

    她横冲直撞的闯入他的心里,搂着他瘦削白皙的脖颈狠狠地留下舌吻,在他面前招摇过市的拎着一块‘此子是本小姐的,狐狸精们滚地远远的’霸道牌子,真正危险来临时,怎么?还当他是手无缚鸡之力的小白脸?他可以一边温柔的任她欺负,又可以一边为她斩尽危险荆棘,看霸道萌的她如何攻下忧郁小鲜肉。入洞房了,快点,别慢吞吞的!他嗤笑,心想没见过新娘子这么着急的,手脚并用的进入帘幔内。子时过后,还来吗?来个鸟!左云鸢你不是个受吗?左云鸢:适当逆袭有好处啊
  • 水滴的无限旅程

    水滴的无限旅程

    “唔,怎么有人从楼上扔砖头?哎!那边那个戴眼镜的小弟弟你滑板滑那么快容易摔倒!小心啊!哎~现在的年轻人。”随手扔掉手里的铅块走向毛利侦探事务所。“喵帕斯!”小女孩高高伸出右手打招呼。“喵,喵帕斯。”怎么回事?!乱入?!左拂尘右飞剑,八荣八耻记心间,三观正,六识全,山居道士抱枕眠,离尘世,话机缘,何不抿心问道源,千年修得此道机,不窥天道莫伦长辞于世间。道不在肉胎五形,四肢百骸,何处求之?呜呼哀哉,你且看!
  • 射手座的暧昧

    射手座的暧昧

    喜欢的,不一定是最好的;最好的,不一定是最合适的;最合适的,才是最值得珍惜的。有情能爱,有心能知,有缘能聚,有梦能圆。年轻的情怀,喜欢一个人,爱一朵花,其实并没有错。
  • 最强白骨神座

    最强白骨神座

    一个小骷髅在深渊的成长史。。。。。。。。。。。
  • 十里红殇泪

    十里红殇泪

    在这世上我已活了千年,为了羽化登仙,我入红尘历情劫。十滴情伤泪,十段红殇劫。我将要羽化登仙,不想这最后的红殇泪竟是我的而你就是我的劫。我要如何取这红殇泪。
  • 《翩翩起舞》

    《翩翩起舞》

    生命的尊严已支离破碎,不屈的灵魂却还在翩翩起舞.这是一个关于亲情,爱情,关于一个人与命运抗争,寻求人生价值与意义的故事.其间凄美,绝美的爱情和感人至深的亲情让人为之动容;男女主人公之间不能割舍的深沉的爱与他们内心的苦楚与挣扎,更是令人为之心碎.