There is here, moral, if not legal, evidence, that the murder was
committed by the Indians.
Whether the man personating a mechanic was, or was not, an accomplice
in the crime, it is impossible to say. That he could have committed the
murder alone, seems beyond the limits of probability. Acting by himself,
he could hardly have smothered Mr. Ablewhite--who was the taller and
stronger man of the two--without a struggle taking place, or a cry being
heard. A servant girl, sleeping in the next room, heard nothing. The
landlord, sleeping in the room below, heard nothing. The whole evidence
points to the inference that more than one man was concerned in this
crime--and the circumstances, I repeat, morally justify the conclusion
that the Indians committed it.
I have only to add, that the verdict at the Coroner's Inquest was Wilful
Murder against some person, or persons, unknown. Mr. Ablewhite's family
have offered a reward, and no effort has been left untried to discover
the guilty persons. The man dressed like a mechanic has eluded
all inquiries. The Indians have been traced. As to the prospect of
ultimately capturing these last, I shall have a word to say to you on
that head, when I reach the end of the present Report.
In the meanwhile, having now written all that is needful on the subject
of Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite's death, I may pass next to the narrative of
his proceedings before, during, and after the time, when you and he met
at the late Lady Verinder's house.
CHAPTER Second Period Sixth Narrative - Chapter III With regard to the subject now in hand, I may state, at the outset, that
Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite's life had two sides to it.
The side turned up to the public view, presented the spectacle of
a gentleman, possessed of considerable reputation as a speaker at
charitable meetings, and endowed with administrative abilities, which
he placed at the disposal of various Benevolent Societies, mostly of
the female sort. The side kept hidden from the general notice, exhibited
this same gentleman in the totally different character of a man of
pleasure, with a villa in the suburbs which was not taken in his own
name, and with a lady in the villa, who was not taken in his own name,
either.
My investigations in the villa have shown me several fine pictures
and statues; furniture tastefully selected, and admirably made; and a
conservatory of the rarest flowers, the match of which it would not be
easy to find in all London. My investigation of the lady has resulted in
the discovery of jewels which are worthy to take rank with the flowers,
and of carriages and horses which have (deservedly) produced a sensation
in the Park, among persons well qualified to judge of the build of the
one, and the breed of the others.