‘How is he, Doctor?’ asked Fordney.
‘He’ll never come to, I’m afraid. Those two blows on the head were a bit too much for him.’
‘Two blows!’ ejaculated Fordney. ‘Are you sure, Baldwin, you weren’t hurrying away with the emerald? I’m not!’
[Why did Fordney think Baldwin had stolen the emerald?]
25
Behind Locked Doors
At the Collingham home Professor Fordney found Clive Kingston, the Judge’s nephew, and Watkins, the butler, greatly excited. Forcing the library door, locked for three months, they saw the Judge seated in front of the fireplace opposite the door, apparently dead.
‘Wait!’ called Professor Fordney to Watkins, who had rushed into the room.
‘He’s all right,’ said Kingston, as he and Fordney halted over the threshold.
‘Perhaps, but I don’t want any clues obliterated. Come back carefully and get us a couple of small rugs, Watkins,’ commanded Fordney.
Walking only on the rugs placed over the thick, plain carpet, Fordney and Kingston reached the Judge’s side and found him dead—shot through the heart.