the grey room(灰房间)-第45节
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thousand times more subtle。〃
〃But he's very fascinating；〃 declared Mary。
〃He's a gentleman；〃 answered Henry … 〃an Italian gentleman。 They're
different from us in their ideas of good form； that's all。 Good form is
largely a matter of geography … like most other manners and customs。〃
〃I believe in him； anyway。〃
〃So do I； Mary。 I don't think he would ever have put himself to such
extraordinary trouble if he hadn't felt pretty hopeful。〃
But Sir Walter doubted。 〃He's old and his mind plays him tricks
sometimes。 No doubt he's immensely clever； but his cleverness belongs
to the past。 He has not moved with the times any more than I have。〃
〃His eye flashes still； and you know he has claws； but； like a dear old
Persian cat； he would never dream of using them。〃
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〃I think he would；〃 answered her cousin。 〃He might spring on
anybody … from behind。〃
〃He is； at any rate； too old to understand democracy。〃
〃He understands it only too well；〃 replied Sir Walter。 〃Like myself；
he knows that democracy is only autocracy turned inside out。 Human
nature isn't constructed to bear any such ideal。 It might suit sheep and
oxen … not men。〃
〃He is an aristocrat； a survival； proud as a peacock under his humility；
as kind…hearted as you are yourself； father。〃
〃I rather doubt his kindness of heart；〃 said Henry。 〃Latins are not
kind。 But I don't doubt his cleverness。 One must be on one's guard
against first impressions； Mary。〃
〃No； no one mustn't； when they're so pleasant。 There is nothing small
or peddling about him。 It was angelic of such an old man to take so
much trouble。〃
Henry Lennox reminded them of practical considerations。
〃The first thing is to get the room opened for him。 He is going to see
Uncle Walter at eleven o'clock； and he'll want to visit the Grey Room
afterwards。 If we get Chubb and a man or two from the village the first
thing in the morning； they can help Caunter to open the room and have it
ready for him after lunch。〃 Sir Walter rang and directed that workmen
should be sent for at the earliest hour next day。
〃I feel doubtful as to what the authorities would say； however；〃 he told
Henry； when his orders had been taken。
〃What can they say； but be well pleased if the infernal thing is cleared
up？〃
〃It is too good to be true。〃
〃So I should think； but I share Mary's optimism。 I honestly believe
that Signor Mannetti knows a great deal more about the Grey Room than
he has let us imagine。〃
〃How can he possibly do that？〃 asked his uncle。
〃Time will show； but I'm going to back him。〃 At eleven o'clock on
the following morning the visitor appeared。 He walked with a gold…
headed； ebony cane and dressed in a fashion of earlier days。 He was alert
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and keen； his mind had no difficulty in concentrating on his subject。 It
appeared that he had all particulars at his fingers' ends； and he went back
into the history of the Grey Room as far as Sir Walter was able to take
him。
〃We are dealing with five victims to our certain knowledge；〃 he said；
〃for there is very little doubt that all must have suffered the same death
and under the same circumstances。〃
〃Four victims； signor。〃
〃You forget your aged relative … the lady who came to spend Christmas
with your father； when you were a boy； and was found dead on the floor。
Colonel Vane； however； recollected her； because you had mentioned her
when telling the story of Mrs。 Forrester … Nurse Forrester。〃
〃I never associated my aged aunt with subsequent tragedies … nobody
did。〃
〃Nevertheless； it was not old age and a good dinner that ended her life。
She； too； perished by an assassin。〃
〃You still speak of crime。〃
〃If I am not mistaken； then 'crime' is the only word。〃
〃But； forgive me； is it imaginable that the same criminal could destroy
three men last year and kill an old woman more than sixty years ago？〃
〃Quite possible。 You do not see？ Then I hope to have the privilege
of showing you presently。〃
〃It would seem； then； that the malignant thing is really undying … as
poor May believed … a conscious being hidden there； but beyond our sight
and knowledge？〃
〃No； no； my friend。 Let me be frank。 I have no theory that
embraces either a good or evil spirit。 Believe me； there are fewer things
in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy。 Man has
burdened his brain with an infinite deal of rubbish of his own manufacture。
Much of his principle and practice is built on myths and dreams。 He is a
credulous creature； and insanely tenacious to tradition； but I say to you；
suspect tradition at every turn； and the more ancient the tradition； the more
mistrust it。 We harbor a great deal too much of the savage still in us … we
still carry about far more of his mental lumber and nonsense than we
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imagine。 Intellect should simplify rather than complicate； and those to
come will look back with pity to see this generation； like flies； entangled
in the webs of thought their rude forefathers spun。 But the eternal
verities are few； a child could count them。 We are； however； a great deal
too fond of believing what our ancestors believed。 Alas； nobody sins
more in this respect than I。 Let us； then； throw overboard the supernatural；
once and for all； so far as the Grey Room is concerned。 No ghost haunts
it； no succubus or succuba is hidden there； to harry the life out of good
men and women。〃
〃It is strange that you should take almost the identical line of thought
that poor Peter Hardcastle took。 I hope to God you are right！〃
〃So far I am most certainly in the right。 We can leave the other world
out of our calculations。〃
He asked various questions； many of which did not appear to bear on
the subject； but he made no suggestions as yet； and advanced no theories。
He suspected that Peter Hardcastle might have arrived at a conclusion had
not death cut short his inquiry。 》From time to time he lifted his hand
gently for silence； and permitted a reply to penetrate his mind。
〃I think very slowly about new things now；〃 he said。 〃An idea must
sink in gradually and find its place。 That is the worst of new ideas。
There is so little room for them when you are eighty。 The old and settled
opinions fill the space； and are jealous and resent newcomers。〃
Sir Walter explained to him presently that the room was being opened；
and would be ready after luncheon。 Whereupon he expressed concern for
the workers。
〃Let them have a care；〃 he said； 〃for； if I am right； the danger is still
present。 Let them work with despatch； and not loiter about。〃
〃No harm has ever undertaken more than one； when in the room alone。
The detectives saw and felt nothing。〃
〃Nevertheless； the assassin was quite equal to smudging out the
detectives； believe me； Sir Walter。〃
The day was fine； and Signor Mannetti expressed a wish to take the air。
They walked on the terrace presently； and Mary joined them。 He asked for
her arm； and she gave it。
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Prince padded beside her； and the visitor declared interest in him。
〃Like myself； your dog is on the verge of better things；〃 he said。 〃He
will do good deeds in the happy hunting grounds； be sure。〃
They told him the feats of Prince； and he appeared to be interested。
〃Nevertheless； the faithful creature ought to die now。 He is blind and
paralysis is crippling his hinder parts。〃
Sir Walter patted the head of his ancient favorite。
〃He dies on Fr
