Jeffrey, and we looked up the papers and ran
over them till we came upon his picture. That settled it, and I
could no longer - being free from home anxieties now - hold my
tongue and the police heard - "
"That will do, Mr. Gelston," broke in the major. "When we want
you again, we will let you know, Durbin, see Mr. Gelston out"
I was left alone with the major and the district attorney.
There was a moment's silence, during which my own heart beat so
loud that I was afraid they would hear it. Since taking up Miss
Tuttle's cause I had never really believed in Mr. Jeffrey's
innocence in spite of the alibi he had brought forward, and now
I expected to hear these men utter the same conviction. The major
was the first to speak. Addressing the district attorney, he
remarked: "This will strengthen your case very materially. We
have proof now that Mrs. Jeffrey's death was actually determined
upon. If Miss Tuttle had not shot her, he would. I wonder if it
was a relief to him on reaching his door to find that the deed
was done."
I could not suppress my surprise.
"Miss Tuttle!" I repeated. "Is it so unmistakably evident that
Mr. Jeffrey did not get to the Moore house in time to do the
shooting himself?"
The major gave me a quick look.
"I thought you considered Miss Tuttle the guilty one.
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