"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 078 - The Third Skull" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

This individual was middle-aged, keen-faced, and of a somewhat professional appearance. He had been
introduced to Cardona as Doctor Raymond Deseurre.

"I was Hildrew Parchell's physician," testified Deseurre, in a harsh, but steady voice. "His condition was
serious; one in which a severe shock could easily have caused heart failure. To me, this case is obvious."

"Hildrew Parchell was stricken during Tristram's absence. While I cannot picture the exact
circumstances, it is apparent to me that he must have seized the table and overturned it when he fell from
his bed."

"Your own police surgeon" - Deseurre indicated a man who was standing in a corner, nodding - "will
agree with me that this must be the most logical explanation of Parchell's death. The old man's head must
have struck against the table. He may have been dead at the time; or that blow may have been the final
cause of his decease. In either case, the verdict should be the same. Death through accidental cause."
"Maybe you're right, doctor," admitted Cardona, "but what I don't get is why there was a lighted candle
on the table. There are electric lights in this room."

"But none above the bed, sir," put in Tristram. "Mr. Parchell used to read occasionally; but only for very
short periods. His eyes were unusually strong, sir, and he believed that the candlelight, close by, was
sufficient."

"A claim to which I objected," added Deseurre, emphatically. "But I had enough of arguments with my
patient on the subject of his heart condition. It was useless to add new controversy over the matter of eye
strain, particularly when he had not long to live."

CARDONA made another study of the bed. He was forced to agree that Tristram had shown
remarkable effectiveness in extinguishing a most clangorous blaze. That spoke definitely to the servant's
credit.

Cardona made notations in a notebook; then, in a less challenging tone, he asked a general question.

"Why was every one coming here tonight?" questioned the ace detective. "You, Mr. Wingate; you,
Doctor Deseurre? And why was Selwood Royce supposed to be here?"

"I was coming," replied Wingate, "to receive minor instructions regarding the disposal of Mr. Parchell's
various documents. Hildrew Parchell knew that he did not have long to live. As his attorney, I was to
take charge of his affairs.

"I have letters from him to that effect. I have a duplicate list of all his papers and valuables in his wall safe.
It will be a simple matter to check up on all of his belongings. This was scarcely more than a routine
appointment."

"As for myself," stated Doctor Deseurre, "tonight's appointment was one of my regular calls. Hildrew
Parchell was a patient I visited every evening."

"What about Selwood Royce?" questioned Cardona, turning to Tristram. "Does he come here often?"

"No, sir," replied the servant. "You see, Mr. Royce's father was a friend of Mr. Parchell. All I know, sir,
is that Mr. Parchell seemed anxious to see his friend's son before he died. That was what Mr. Parchell
told me, sir, when he sent me out to make the telephone call -"