The Classic Mystery Collection - Arthur Conan Doyle [5862]
"LeGrand Blossom!"
Now something might come out. It was known that Blossom was Mr. Carwell's chief clerk, and more than one person knew of the impending partnership, for Mr. Carwell was rather talkative at times.
"Mr. Blossom," asked the prosecutor, after some preliminary questions, "it has been intimated - not here but outside - that the financial affairs of Mr. Carwell were not in such good shape as might be wished. Do you know anything about this?"
"I do, sir.
"Tell what you know."
"I know he was hard pushed for money, and had to get loans from the bank and otherwise."
"Was that unusual?"
"Yes, it was. Before he bought the big car and the yacht he carried a good balance. But I told him - "
"Never mind what you told him or he told you. That is not admissible under the circumstances. Just tell what you know."
"Well, then I know that Mr. Carwell's affairs were in bad shape, and that he was trying to raise some ready cash."
"How do you know this?"
"Because he asked me to put a large sum into his business and become a member of the firm."
"He asked you to invest money and become a partner?"
"Yes."
"Well, that is not unusual, is it? Many a business man might do the same if he wanted to branch out, mightn't he ?"
"Yes. But before this Mr. Carwell had offered to take me into partnership without any advance of money on my part. Then he suddenly said he needed a large sum. He knew I had inherited eleven thousand dollars and had, moreover, made from investments."
"And did you agree to it?"
"I said I'd think it over. I was to give him my answer the day he died."
"Did you?"
"No."
"What would have been your answer?"
"It would have been 'no.' I didn't think I wanted to tie up with a man who was on the verge of ruin; and if you ask me I'll say I think he committed suicide because he was on the verge of financial ruin and couldn't face the music, and - "
"That will do!" came sternly from the prosecutor. "We didn't ask your opinion as to the suicide theory, and, what is more, we don't want it. I ask, your honor," and he turned to Billy Teller, who was secretly delighted at being thus addressed, "that the last remark of the witness be stricken from the record."
"Rub it out," ordered the coroner, looking over at the stenographer; and the latter, with a smile, ran his pen through the curious hooks and curves that represented the "opinion" of LeGrand Blossom.
He was allowed to leave the stand, and Harry Bartlett was called next. He nodded and smiled at Viola as he walked forward through the crowd, and Captain Poland, who was sitting in front, waved his hand to his rival. For the young men were friends, even if both were in love with Viola Carwell.
"Mr Bartlett," began the prosecutor, after some unimportant preliminary questions, "I haye been informed that you had a conversation with Mr. Carwell shortly before his death. Is that true?"
"Yes, we had a talk."
Viola started at hearing this - started so visibly that several about her noticed it, and even Colonel Ashley turned his head.
"What was the nature of the talk?" asked Mr. Stryker.
"That I can not tell," said Bartlett firmly. "But it had nothing to do with the matter in hand."
There was a rustle of expectancy on hearing this, and the prosecutor quickly asked:
"What do you mean by `the matter in hand'?"
"Well, his death."
"Naturally you didn't talk about his death, for it hadn't taken place," said Mr. Stryker. "Nor could it have been foreseen, I imagine. But what did you talk about?"
"I decline to answer."
There was a gasp that swept over the courtroom, and Billy Teller banged the gavel as he had seen real judges do.
"You decline to answer," repeated the prosecutor. "Is it on the