The objection struck me, all the more forcibly that it reflected an

objection which I had felt myself.

"As to this," pursued the lawyer taking up Rosanna Spearman's

confession, "I can understand that the letter is a distressing one to

YOU. I can understand that you may hesitate to analyse it from a purely

impartial point of view. But I am not in your position. I can bring my

professional experience to bear on this document, just as I should bring

it to bear on any other. Without alluding to the woman's career as a

thief, I will merely remark that her letter proves her to have been an

adept at deception, on her own showing; and I argue from that, that I am

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justified in suspecting her of not having told the whole truth. I won't

start any theory, at present, as to what she may or may not have done.

I will only say that, if Rachel has suspected you ON THE EVIDENCE OF THE

NIGHTGOWN ONLY, the chances are ninety-nine to a hundred that Rosanna

Spearman was the person who showed it to her. In that case, there is the

woman's letter, confessing that she was jealous of Rachel, confessing

that she changed the roses, confessing that she saw a glimpse of hope

for herself, in the prospect of a quarrel between Rachel and you. I

don't stop to ask who took the Moonstone (as a means to her end,

Rosanna Spearman would have taken fifty Moonstones)--I only say that

the disappearance of the jewel gave this reclaimed thief who was in love

with you, an opportunity of setting you and Rachel at variance for the

rest of your lives. She had not decided on destroying herself, THEN,

remember; and, having the opportunity, I distinctly assert that it was

in her character, and in her position at the time, to take it. What do

you say to that?"

"Some such suspicion," I answered, "crossed my own mind, as soon as I

opened the letter."

"Exactly! And when you had read the letter, you pitied the poor

creature, and couldn't find it in your heart to suspect her. Does you

credit, my dear sir--does you credit!"

"But suppose it turns out that I did wear the nightgown? What then?"

"I don't see how the fact can be proved," said Mr. Bruff. "But assuming

the proof to be possible, the vindication of your innocence would be

no easy matter. We won't go into that, now. Let us wait and see whether

Rachel hasn't suspected you on the evidence of the nightgown only."

"Good God, how coolly you talk of Rachel suspecting me!" I broke out.

"What right has she to suspect Me, on any evidence, of being a thief?"

"A very sensible question, my dear sir. Rather hotly put--but well worth

considering for all that. What puzzles you, puzzles me too. Search your

memory, and tell me this. Did anything happen while you were staying at

the house--not, of course, to shake Rachel's belief in your honour--but,

let us say, to shake her belief (no matter with how little reason) in

your principles generally?"




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