Page:The Viaduct Murder (1926).pdf/225

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE TEST
211

"As a matter of fact, I have ordered some only lately. I have to go up to London to-morrow to see about them."

Reeves' blood thrilled. Only a tiny corroboration, and yet enough to give him more confidence in his diagnosis of the "washing-list." Only lately Marryatt had been ordering new hassocks⁠—it all fitted in.

"I congratulate you, Marryatt," said Carmichael. "At the funeral the other day, I am afraid I found myself chiefly thinking about the unpleasantness of the kneeling accommodation, instead of the virtues of the deceased. By the way, have you declared a truce in the controversy with Brotherhood, now that he is no longer capable of replying?"

"I am afraid I continued the course this evening. I could not very well leave it where I had left off last Sunday. I had to meet, you see, his views about immortality."

Carmichael chuckled. "Well, let's hope Brotherhood won't walk," he said. "It would be very embarrassing for you, Marryatt, if Brotherhood's ghost came back to continue the discussion. It would speak with so much expert knowledge."

"Really, Carmichael," said Marryatt, "I wish you wouldn't say those things. You told us yourself that you don't believe in spiritualistic phenomena."

"It's all right," said Gordon, "you'll be able to exorcise him if he does turn up again. Try driving a stake through his body, I'm told it's effective. Hullo!" he added, consulting his watch, "I'd no idea

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.