Murder of a Lady by Anthony Wynne Read Free Book Online

realized how exhausted he was and how stiff. His wet clothes clung to his body inhospitably. He held out his hands to her, but she refused them.
    â€œPlease leave me,” she cried. “Please go back to Darroch Mor yourself.” Her voice failed. Her posture expressed utter dejection.
    â€œListen to me,” he urged in gentle tones. “Whatever your motive in jumping into the water may have been, that attempt has failed. Providence, if I may say so, has preserved your life. And surely for a purpose. You cannot repeat the attempt because, if need be, I shall remain with you till morning. And I’m stronger than you are. In the morning I shall hand you over to the police if I think there is the least likelihood of your repeating your attempt.”
    â€œYou don’t understand. My life isn’t worth saving. I promise you that it isn’t worth saving.”
    â€œThere’s your son.”
    She cried out:
    â€œDon’t remind me of him.”
    â€œI must remind you of him.”
    â€œHe’ll forget. He won’t remember. He won’t know…” She broke off, wringing her hands.
    â€œWould you leave him to strangers?”
    â€œStrangers. It’s I who am the stranger.”
    Dr. Hailey remained silent a moment then he said:
    â€œI saw those bruises on your neck.”
    Her hands went up to the collar of her dress. She drew it more tightly round her neck. She did not answer him.
    â€œA doctor can see at a glance that you were attacked by someone within the last twenty-four hours.”
    Still she offered no explanation. After a little while he urged her to tell him what had happened.
    â€œIf you’re frank with me, I think I may be able to help you,” he said. “Believe me, it’s folly not to be frank in such cases as this.”
    â€œI would rather not talk about it.”
    Suddenly she raised her face to him.
    â€œIn a sense your knowledge of those bruises is a professional secret?” she asked.
    â€œPossibly.”
    â€œPromise me you won’t tell anybody about them.”
    He considered for a moment.
    â€œVery well,” he said. He extended his arm. “I insist on your walking. You mustn’t sit still. It’s as much as your life’s worth.”
    She rose and, after a moment’s hesitation, took his arm. He thought that her weakness was passing; a moment later she reeled and would have fallen if he had not supported her.
    â€œI don’t think I can walk.”
    â€œYou must try.”
    He gave her his flask again and made her drink from it. They stumbled laboriously along the shore of the loch towards a clump of trees through which the carriage-way passed. When they reached the first of these trees he stood to allow her to breathe herself.
    â€œI think you would comfort yourself,” he told her, “if you confessed why you tried to take your life.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDuchlan knew that you were going to drown yourself.”
    She started away from him and then caught at the trunk of a tree. In the silence which fell between them, he heard the screech owl keeping its vigil beside the castle.
    â€œHow do you know that?”
    â€œHe came down here a little time ago.”
    â€œHe told you?”
    â€œNo. Nothing.”
    She sighed, expressing her relief. She took his arm again.
    â€œIt’s my business to guess what people do not tell me,” he said, “and that has become my habit. If your father-in-law knew what you were going to do, he must have approved, since he did not prevent. That can only mean that he associates you in some way with the death of his sister.”
    He paused. He was aware that she had listened to him with breathless attention.
    â€œWell?”
    â€œI can’t tell you anything.”
    â€œYou don’t deny the justice of my reasoning.”
    â€œI can’t tell you anything.”
    He considered a moment, wondering whether or not to try