Kitabı oku: «Miser Farebrother: A Novel (vol. 3 of 3)», sayfa 5

CHAPTER X
THE INQUEST

The following report of the inquest appeared in the special editions of the evening papers on the following evening:

"The inquest upon the body of the gentleman known as 'Miser' Farebrother, who was found dead in the grounds of Parksides, was held in Beddington this morning.

"The coroner, addressing the jury, said that they were about to investigate what there was little reason to doubt was a foul murder. Certain witnesses were present whose evidence would enable them to decide under what circumstances death had taken place. He was informed that one witness was absent whose evidence might have an important bearing upon the inquiry, although it would not probably alter the verdict which would be given. Their first duty was to identify the body of the dead man.

"This being done, the actual inquiry commenced. The first witness called was Mrs. Deborah Pamflett. Before she was examined, however, Mr. Frederick Cornwall, barrister, rose, and asked to be allowed to say a few words.

"The Coroner: 'Have they any bearing upon this inquiry?'

"Mr. Cornwall: 'A direct bearing. I appear here to watch the case on behalf of the only child of the murdered man, and I request permission to put some questions to the witnesses, if I consider it necessary to do so.'

"The Coroner: 'I shall have no objection to pertinent questions being put to the witnesses, but it must be done through me.'

"Mr. Cornwall: 'I thank you, sir. You have referred to the absence of a witness whose evidence would be likely to have an important bearing upon this inquiry. I assume that the witness referred to is the lady I represent. An unhappy circumstance prevents her attendance. I hand you a certificate, signed by two doctors, to the effect that Miss Farebrother is suffering from brain-fever, and that she is not in a fit state to be removed from the house in which she is lying, or to be examined either there or here. Were she well enough she would be present on this occasion, painful as it would be to her.'

"The Coroner: 'In whose house is Miss Farebrother being nursed?'

"Mr. Cornwall: 'In her aunt's house in Camden Town. You will find the exact address on the certificate.'

"The certificate was handed in, and the examination of Mrs. Pamflett was proceeded with.

"'Your name is Deborah Pamflett?' – 'Yes.'

"'You are a widow?' – 'Yes.'

"'In the service of the deceased?' – 'Yes.'

"'In what capacity?' – 'As his house-keeper.'

"'How long have you been so employed?' – 'Eighteen years.'

"'Were there any other servants in the house?' – 'None.'

"'Not at any time during your service?' – 'Not at any time.'

"'Of how many persons did the household of the deceased consist?' – 'Usually of three – himself, his daughter and me.'

"'Why do you say usually?' – 'Because his daughter was frequently absent on visits to her aunt and uncle, in London.'

"'Was she absent on the day of the death of your master?' – 'She had been absent from the house for some weeks, but on the night my master met his death she was present.'

"'Relate the occurrences of that day, as far as your memory will serve you.' – 'My memory is pretty faithful. My master rose at his usual hour, and the day passed quietly. He received one visitor in the afternoon – my son, who managed his business for him in London, and who, I believe, will be examined here. Before my son arrived my master sent me to the telegraph office with a message to him, asking him to come upon business. My son, however, anticipated the message, and alighted from the train just as I sent off the message. He met me in the village, and we walked to Parksides together. When I went to my master and told him that my son had arrived, he expressed himself as being very pleased. Between my master and my son the most friendly and cordial relations existed; they never had a word of difference. This made my own service in the house very pleasant, so far as my master was concerned. I was present during some portion of the time my son was with our master, who spoke in great praise of the way my son was conducting the London business. They had tea together in my master's room, and after that my son left for London.'

"'At what hour did he leave?' – 'At about seven o'clock. I did not take particular note of the time, there being no occasion for it, but that was about the hour, within a few minutes one way or another. At eight o'clock my master rang the bell for me, and I went up to him. I was in the habit of sitting with him often when there was no one else in the house, and sometimes of reading the paper to him. He was very lonely, and very much troubled and unhappy about his daughter.'

"Mr. Cornwall (rising): 'I submit, sir, that these observations do not come within the scope of the present inquiry.'

"The Coroner: 'I think the witness is giving her evidence fairly. It will, however, be as well that she should confine herself as much as possible to facts.'

"Witness: 'I am stating facts, sir.'

"The Coroner: 'I mean facts relating to the death of the deceased. It is sufficient, perhaps, at present to know that there was some disturbance of those affectionate relations which should exist between father and daughter.' To witness: 'Under what circumstances did Miss Farebrother, on the last occasion, leave her father's house? I must request you not to interrupt the proceedings, Mr. Cornwall. You are here only upon courtesy.'

"Mr. Cornwall: I might contest that, sir; but I will interrupt as little as possible.'

"The Coroner (to witness): 'Answer my question.' – 'I do not know the precise circumstances, sir. All I know is that they had a violent quarrel late at night, and that Miss Farebrother left against her father's wish, and without his consent. After her departure he was very unhappy, and shed tears.'

"The Coroner: 'Proceed now with the events of the day you are describing.' – 'I sat with my master till ten o'clock, and then there was a ring at the gate bell. My master said it was a visitor he was expecting, and I went down and admitted him. I do not know his name, but for the last three or four years he came perhaps four or five times a year – always at night – and he and my master would be closeted together for two or three hours. On this occasion that he was with my master I went down to the kitchen, and did my work there. I put everything in order, and saw that the things were in their right places. Among other things, the knives, which I kept in the dresser drawer.'

"'Have you any reason for particularly mentioning the knives?' – 'Yes, sir. Among them was a large knife with a horn handle, which I had recently sharpened. My work being finished, I went up to my bedroom, stopping on my way outside my master's door, and asking him whether he wanted anything. He answered no, and that I was to get to bed. It was his usual answer, and I obeyed him; there was nothing to excite my suspicions. At a little after eleven I was in bed and asleep. I slept for over two hours, and then I awoke. Sounds in the lower part of the house had roused me. I listened, and heard some one moving about. Lighting a candle, I looked at my watch. It was twenty minutes past one. I was not easy in my mind, and I went down-stairs. I listened a moment at my master's door, but all was still in the room. There was a light there, however, and I knocked softly. I got no answer, and I gently tried the handle; the door was unlocked, and I took a step into the room. There was no one there but my master, and he was asleep in his chair. He sometimes slept so for a few hours; he suffered greatly from gout and rheumatism, and he has said to me that he felt easier in that position than in bed. I closed the door quietly and went down to the kitchen, and there, to my astonishment, I saw Miss Farebrother. She had a knife in her hand, the knife with a horn handle, and she put it hastily on the table as I entered. The drawer in which I kept my knives was open; when I went to bed I left it closed. Miss Farebrother was very angry at my making my appearance, and she asked me how I dared to play the spy upon her. I told her that I was not playing the spy, and that I had been disturbed in my sleep by a noise in the house, and I came down to see what it was. I said something, too, about how astonishing it was that she should come home at such an hour, and she replied that it was no business of mine, and that I was to go to my room at once, or she would have me bundled out of the house the first thing in the morning. It was no use answering her; she was my mistress, and I had to obey her; so I went up to my room again. I can't exactly say how long it was afterward, but it could not have been very long – perhaps half an hour or three-quarters, bringing the time to past two o'clock – that I heard the voices of my master and his daughter outside the house. Whether she had gone up to him and woke him, or whether he had gone out, as he sometimes did in the middle of the night, I don't know, but at the time I heard them they were in the grounds. They both seemed to be very angry. Miss Farebrother, as well as I could make out, was insisting that her father should give her a sum of money, and she was using threats toward him. Presently he spoke in a more gentle tone to her, and I heard him say, "Wait till I am dead and it will all be yours, if you will come back and behave as a dutiful and affectionate daughter to me." And I heard her answer: "I will do as I please and go where I please. You ought to have been dead long ago! You had better be careful!" After that the voices grew fainter and fainter, as if they were moving away.'

"The Coroner: 'Hearing what you did, why did you not go down to them?' – 'I did not like to; and, to tell the truth, it would have been as much as my situation was worth to interfere. They had often quarrelled like that, though not in the exact words I heard then; and twice, some time ago, when I did interfere, I was sent away, and told not to mix myself up with family quarrels.'

"'Who used these words to you?' – 'Principally Miss Farebrother; but my master also said, very sorrowfully, that I had better never trouble myself, and that my interference would only make things worse.'

"'Had they ever quarrelled in the middle of the night before?' – 'Yes; and she was continually threatening him, so that there was nothing very unusual in this quarrel, although it was as bad as any that ever reached my ears.'

"'When you could no longer hear them, did you fall asleep?' – 'Not immediately; perhaps not for half an hour; I can't be sure.'

"'Did you hear them return to the house?' – 'I heard nothing more of them.'

"'Well, then, you fell asleep. At what hour in the morning did you awake?' – 'At a little before seven – my usual time. By seven o'clock I was in the kitchen, going on with my work.'

"'Did you observe anything particular in the kitchen?' – 'Nothing particular. Things were pretty much as I had left them on the night before.'

"'The drawer in which you kept your knives – was it closed?' – 'Yes, it was closed.'

"'The knife with the horn handle – where was that?' – 'I did not know. I had no occasion to use it, and I did not look for it.'

"'At what time in the morning did the deceased usually ring his bell for you?' – 'At nine o'clock or thereabouts; but there were exceptions, and when nine o'clock passed and I was not summoned, I did not attach any importance to it.'

"'You supposed Miss Farebrother to be in the house?' – 'Oh yes; but I did not expect to hear her bell for a long time. She generally slept till ten or eleven o'clock. I waited till half-past ten, and then, being uneasy at not hearing my master's bell, I went to his room, and as there was no answer to my knock, I opened the door. My master was not there, and the bed had not been slept in. Then I went to Miss Farebrother's room, and she was not there, and she had not slept in her bed. I became frightened, and I thought I would look about the grounds. It was then that I discovered my master lying dead, with blood upon him, and the knife with the horn handle lying near him, with clotted blood on it. I flew to the village for assistance, and some people came back with me, and said that my master had been murdered.'

"'How far from the house is the spot upon which you discovered the body of the deceased?' – 'I cannot say. Perhaps a quarter of a mile.'

"'Could you, being in the house, have heard any sounds proceeding from that spot?' – 'It would be almost, if not quite, impossible.'

"'So that if there had been any cries for help, they would not have reached your ears?' – 'No, they could not.'

"'Now, did you observe anything particular about Miss Farebrother's dress when you found her in the kitchen so late at night?' – 'She was dressed as she usually was.'

"'Fully dressed?' – 'Yes.'

"'Did she wear a hat?' – 'Yes.'

"'With a veil to it?' – 'Yes, there was a veil to it.'

"'Would you be able to recognize the veil?' – 'Yes.'

"'Is this it?' (Veil produced.) – 'Yes, this is it.'

"'Did she wear any ornaments?' – 'I noticed only one, and I should not have noticed that if I had not presented it to her as a birthday gift.'

"'What was the ornament?' – 'A brooch.'

"'Can you identify it?' – 'Oh yes; it is a very particular brooch. My mother had it before me.'

"'Is this it?' – 'Yes, this is it.'

"'That is all I have to ask you.' – 'Thank you, sir.'

"Mr. Cornwall: 'A moment, please.'

"The Coroner: 'You understand, Mr. Cornwall, that I shall check you if you ask any questions irrelevant to this inquiry?'

"Mr. Cornwall: 'I quite understand it, sir.' To witness: 'Are you positive that your memory is faithful upon all the events you have described?' – 'I am very positive, sir.'

"'As to what took place between you and Miss Farebrother in the kitchen?' – 'Everything is as I had described.'

"'The conversation between you?' – 'Yes, sir.'

"'And the knife with the horn handle?' – 'It is as I have said, sir.'

"'You swear that Miss Farebrother frequently threatened her father?' – 'Frequently, sir, I am sorry to say.'

"'Did you ever mention this continual disagreement to any person?' – 'No, sir, except to my son. I have no acquaintances.'

"'Not one?' – 'Not one.'

"The Coroner: 'In this place, Mr. Cornwall, these questions do not appear to me to be pertinent. Some are repetitions of questions already asked and answered, others do not affect the particular inquiry upon which we are engaged.'

"Mr. Cornwall: 'I am sorry to hear that expression of opinion from you, for there is to me, and doubtless to others, something like a direct accusation in the witness's evidence.'

"Witness (in a quiet tone): 'I do not accuse any one. I am speaking the truth.'

"Mr. Cornwall: 'Then it is the truth, and you swear it, that when you last saw Miss Farebrother she wore the brooch which you gave her as a birthday gift?' – 'It is the truth, and I swear it.'

"'Can you describe the man who visited the deceased on the night of his death?' – 'I can, sir.'

"The Coroner: 'It is a proper question, and it should have been asked. I should doubtless have recalled the witness to answer it.'

"Witness: 'He is a man not much taller than I am. I am above the usual height of a woman. His face is dark; he has a large mouth and a small nose; his eyes are blue.'

"'How dressed?' – 'In a dark tweed suit.'

"'Wearing any jewellery?' – 'A silver chain and a large diamond ring.'

"'They scarcely match. The man who can afford to wear a large diamond would be likely to wear a gold chain.' – 'I don't know about that. The diamond may not be genuine.'

"'About what age would you suppose?' – 'About forty.'

"The next witness called was Dr. Playfellow. He deposed that the deceased had met his death by violence. It was caused by the wound in his breast, inflicted by precisely such a weapon as the knife with the horn handle. Asked whether the deceased might not have stabbed himself, Dr. Playfellow said that from the direction of the wound and the position in which the body was found, it was impossible that death could have been inflicted by his own hands.

"Jeremiah Pamflett was next examined. He is the son of the murdered man's house-keeper, and he testified that he had been in the employment of the deceased since he was a lad, and that he had risen from the position of a petty clerk to that of sole manager of Miser Farebrother's business. Between him and his master the most perfect harmony existed; they had never had a word of difference, and his master reposed complete confidence in him. On the afternoon before his master's death he went to Parksides to submit certain accounts to Miser Farebrother, anticipating the telegram which was sent to him requesting him to come. The deceased expressed great satisfaction at his attention to business, and in the course of the interview informed the witness that it was his intention to admit him as a partner. He, the witness, left Parksides in a very happy frame of mind at this promised reward of his long and faithful service. Miser Farebrother was a kind and liberal master; the witness declared he could not desire a better.

"A Juryman: 'You say he was a kind master. Was he in other respects a kind man?' – 'Very kind and considerate; he deserved greater happiness than he enjoyed.'

"Being asked to explain the meaning of this statement, the witness exhibited a reluctance to reply, and said he was sorry he had let the words slip. He was, however, pressed to explain, and he then said that the deceased was made very unhappy by the want of affection shown to him by his daughter.

"The Juryman: 'Was he kind to his daughter?' – 'Very kind.'

"'Was there any disagreement between them?' – 'There was continual disagreement; but it was not my master's fault. He did all he could to please her.'

"'Do you know the cause of this disagreement?' – 'It was partly about money.'

"'That she asked for, and that he would not give?' – 'Yes.'

"'But you said he was very kind to her. The deceased was a man of means. Why should he refuse to give his daughter money?' – 'From what my master said to me at different times, it was because she demanded sums of money for purposes of which he did not approve. He was exceedingly liberal to her where she herself was concerned; but he objected to his money being given to persons who hated him.'

"'To what persons do you refer?' – 'To her relatives in London – the only relatives she has.'

"'What is the name of these relatives?' – 'Lethbridge. They live in Camden Town.'

"'And Miss Farebrother wanted money for them?' – 'According to what my master said, she was always wanting money for them.'

"'Was she in the habit of visiting them?' – 'Continually.'

"'With the consent of the deceased?' – 'Against his consent. He frequently remonstrated with her for paying long visits to persons who bore him such ill-will.'

"'In spite of these remonstrances she continued to visit them?' – 'Yes.'

"'Mention has been made of a man who was in the habit of visiting the deceased in his home at Parksides late at night. Do you know anything of him?' – 'Nothing, except what my mother has told me and has told you.'

"'Did he not visit the office in London?' – 'No. I never saw him.'

"'Did no conversation ever pass between you and the deceased respecting him?' – 'None.'

"'Then you do not know upon what business he came?' – 'No; but it could not have been upon the affairs of the London business, or I should have heard it.'

"The only questions put to this witness by Mr. Cornwall were these:

"'By what train did you leave for London on the occasion of your last visit to the deceased?' – 'By the 8.12.'

"'Did you go direct to the office when you reached London?' – 'Yes.'

"'At what time did you arrive at the office?' – 'At about ten o'clock.'

"'You sleep there?' – 'Yes.'

"The next witness called was Mrs. Lethbridge, whose evidence was to the following effect:

"'You are a relative of the deceased?' – 'I am his sister-in-law.'

"'Were you upon friendly terms with him?' – 'No.'

"'Nor any of your family?' – 'No. But we are not to blame for that.'

"'Was his daughter in the habit of visiting your house?' – 'Yes.'

"'Frequently?' – 'Frequently.'

"'And of remaining there for any length of time?' – 'Yes; generally for three or four days.'

"'Your intimacy with her, then, was of a thoroughly friendly nature?' – 'Of a most affectionate nature. I love her as a child of my own.'

"'Was that the sentiment of all your family?' – 'Yes.'

"'Were Miss Farebrother's visits to your house paid with the consent of the deceased?' – 'Yes.'

"'Did you learn this from him?' – 'No. We very seldom saw him.'

"'In point of fact, how many times have you or any of your family seen him, say within these eight or nine years?' – 'Only twice.'

"'Where? At your house in London?' – 'No; at his house in Parksides.'

"'At his invitation?' – 'No. The first time we were asked by his daughter. It was her birthday, but we understood that our visit would be agreeable to him.'

"'You understood. From whom?' – 'From my niece.'

"'On that occasion how long were you at Parksides?' – 'For five or six hours.'

"'Did you and your family partake of any meal there?' – 'We had tea.'

"'Was the deceased present at the table?' – 'No; he sent word that he was not well enough to join us.'

"'Was your second visit paid upon his invitation?' – 'No; we went of our own accord.'

"'Who went?' – 'I, my niece, and Mr. Cornwall.'

"'Is Mr. Cornwall the gentleman who represents Miss Farebrother at this inquest?' – 'Yes.'

"'Why did he accompany you?' – 'Must I answer?'

"'It is at your own discretion. I cannot compel you.'

"Mr. Cornwall: 'Answer the question, Mrs. Lethbridge.'

"Witness: 'Mr. Cornwall had proposed to my niece, and he accompanied us for the purpose of asking Mr. Farebrother's consent to the engagement.'

"'Was that consent given?' – 'No.'

"'Did the deceased turn you and Mr. Cornwall from his house?' – 'Yes.'

"'In the question I am about to ask you I will not confine myself to the last eight or nine years. I will go as far back as the birth of the deceased's daughter, who is now of a marriageable age. During this long period did the deceased ever visit your house?' – 'No.'

"'Not once?' – 'Not once.'

"'Did he correspond with you, or you with him?' – 'No.'

"'Not a letter, then, passed between you?' – 'Not a letter.'

"'Nor a direct communication of any kind? You hesitate!' – 'I was considering. There was one letter.'

"'Written and sent by you or the deceased?' – 'By Mr. Farebrother. It was a great many years ago. My niece then was scarcely two years of age, and her poor mother was dying. She wished to see me before she died, and it was at her direction that her husband wrote to me.'

"'It appears that even previous to that time you were not upon friendly terms with him?' – 'It was so, unhappily.'

"'Did you comply with the request contained in that letter?' – 'Yes; and I saw my sister. I was with her when she died, and I promised to look after her child and to love her as my own.'

"'I wish you to understand that it is entirely at your discretion whether you reply to certain of my questions. On that visit, so long ago, did you gather the impression that the deceased was glad to see you – that you were, in fact, welcome in his house?' – 'I must speak the truth. He was not glad to see me; I was not welcome.'

"'We can, therefore, arrive but at one conclusion – that there existed an absolute and distinct antipathy on one side or both. I come now to the night upon which the deceased met his death. Your niece was living with you then?' – 'Yes.'

"'I will not inquire into the circumstances of her taking up her residence with you when her father's home was open to her.' – 'It was not open to her.'

"'You say that? Not under any conditions? Had he positively refused ever to receive her again as a daughter?' – 'Unless under conditions which were repugnant to her.'

"'Then her father's home was open to her if she were prepared to behave dutifully, and to obey him?' – 'I cannot deny that; but as I have said, his conditions were repugnant to her.'

"'Into those domestic matters it is not our business to inquire. A few hours before her father was murdered she left your house?' – 'She did.'

"'With your knowledge?' – 'Without my knowledge.'

"'How did you become acquainted with her movements?' – 'She met our servant, and desired her to give us a message that she was going to Parksides to see her father.'

"'It was a strange hour for her to leave. Did she return to your house on that night?' – 'No.'

"'The next morning?' – 'Yes.'

"'At what time?' – 'At about ten o'clock.'

"'Did she give you any explanation of her movements?' – 'She could not do so. She was in a state of exhaustion and was very ill.'

"'What was the nature of her illness?' – 'She was delirious.'

"'We have a certificate that she has brain fever.' – 'It is unhappily true.'

"'Do you recognize this veil?' (Veil produced.) – 'It is one my niece wore.'

"'On that night?' – 'I cannot positively say, but it is hers.'

"'Do you recognize this brooch?' – 'I have seen it, but I do not think it has been in her possession for some weeks.'

"'Can you swear to that?' – 'No, I cannot swear to it.'

"'When she returned home, did it strike you that she must have experienced some excitement?' – 'Yes.'

"'Some very strong excitement?' – 'Yes.'

"'And she gave you no explanation of it?' – 'She could not, because of her condition.'

"Mr. Cornwall asked no questions of this witness, who several times in the course of the examination was much agitated.

"Witnesses were called who proved that the veil and the brooch were found near the body of the murdered man.

"The coroner having addressed the jury, they considered their verdict, which was that Miser Farebrother had been murdered by some person or persons unknown.

"We understand that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Phœbe Farebrother on the charge of murdering her father, Miser Farebrother."