the darrow enigma(达罗之迷)-第33章
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what passed between us。 I copy it here just as I entered it in my
notebook； immediately upon my return to the house。
〃You naturally wish to know；〃 Ragobah began； 〃why I have sought this
interview。 That is easily explained。 You have done me the honour；
Sahib； for I feel it is such； to suspect me of the murder of John Darrow。
You have come here from America to fasten the crime upon me； and； from
the bottom of my heart； I regret your failure to do so。 I would give
everything I possess on earth； and would gladly suffer a life of torment； to
be able truthfully to say： 'I； Rama Ragobah； killed John Darrow。' But
despite all my efforts； I； wretch that I am； am innocent！ For more than
twenty years I have had but one purpose； … one thought； … and that was to
track down and slay John Darrow。 This desire consumed me。 It led me
all over India in vain search for him。 For nineteen years… I laboured
incessantly； without discovering so much as a trace of him。 When he
fled Bombay his belongings went inland； so I was told。 I believed the
story and felt sure I should one day find him on Indian soil。 Years passed
and I did not find him。 It was but a few months ago that I discovered
his ruse and learned his whereabouts。 I could scarcely contain myself for
joy。 My life…work was at last to be completed。 Nothing now remained
but to plan his destruction。 This； however； was not so easy a thing to do；
since； in order to make my revenge complete； I must disclose my identity
before killing him。 At length I decided upon a plan。 I would come
upon him at night； when asleep； gag him and bind him to his bed。 Then
he should learn the name of his doomsman； and the horrible nature of the
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death that awaited him。〃
Ragobah paused here as if overcome by his disappointment； and I said；
〃And how did you intend to kill him？〃 He gave a throaty chuckle； as he
replied： 〃It was all so very pretty！ I had only to saturate the bedclothes
with oil and set fire to them。 I should have lighted them at his feet and
watched the flames creep upward toward his head till safety compelled my
retreat。 It was for this purpose I went to New York。 You already know
the fatal delay I incurred。 When I landed I made all haste to the home of
Darrow Sahib； in Dorchester； only to learn that he had killed himself a few
days before my arrival。 The morsel for which I had striven and hungered
for twenty long years was whipped from my hand； even as I raised it to my
mouth。 My enemy was dead； beyond the power of injury； and my hands
were unstained by his blood。
〃I then determined to kill his daughter。 It was the night of my
enemy's burial。 The Sahibah was alone in the house and was intending to
leave it that night。 I knew she would see that everything was securely
fastened before she went away； and so； when I opened one of the windows；
I was sure she would come to close it。 Crouching down outside I awaited
her approach； intending to spring up and stab her while she was pulling the
window down。 Everything happened as I planned … what ails the Sahib？
I did not kill her！ No； at the last moment something … never mind what …
stayed my arm！ The death of an innocent girl did not promise me any
lasting satisfaction and I gave up the idea； returned to New York； and re…
embarked for Bombay as innocent in act as when I left it。 My life had
been a failure and I had no desire to prolong it。 When you arrested me
on the charge of murder； nothing would have given me greater pleasure
than to have been able to plead guilty。
〃You already know why I so hated Darrow。 He robbed me of the
only woman I ever loved。 Maddened by jealousy； I told her I had thrown
him into the well in the cave here。 It was a lie； but she believed it； and
fled from me； and in a few minutes had thrown herself into that bottomless
hole。 See； Sahib；〃 he said； entering the cave and pointing down the dark
shaft； … 〃that is the road she took in order that her bones might rest with his；
and； after all； they are thousands of miles apart。 It's not the triumph I
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planned； but it's all I have！ And this is why I brought you here； that you
may take back to my enemy's family the knowledge that in death I am
triumphant。 Tell them；〃 he said； rising to his full height； 〃that while the
carcass of the English cur rots in a foreign land； Rama Ragobah's bones lie
mingled with those of his beautiful Lona！〃 … My blood was up； and I
rushed fiercely at him。 With the quickness of a cat he dodged me； spat
in my face as I turned； and； with a horrible laugh； sprang headlong into the
well。 Down deeper and deeper sank the laugh … then it died away … then a
faint plash … and all was silent。 Rama Ragobah was gone！ For fully
ten minutes I stood dazed and irresolute and then returned mechanically to
the house。 I at first thought of informing the authorities of the whole affair；
but； when I realised how hard it would be for me to prove my innocence
were I charged with Ragobah's murder； I decided to keep the secret of the
well。
I shudder when I think of Miss Darrow's narrow escape。 Did you
suspect who her assailant really was？ I wonder you have written me
nothing about it； but suppose you thought it would only needlessly alarm
me。 If you had known it was our friend Ragobah； you would doubtless
have felt it imperative that I should know of it； … so I conclude from your
silence that you did not discover his identity。
I need not； of course； tell you； my dear Doctor； that we have reached
the end of our Indian clue； and that I deem it wise； all things considered；
for me to get out of India just as soon as possible。 If this letter is in any
way delayed； you need not be surprised if I have the pleasure of relating
its contents in person。 Remember me to Miss Darrow and tell her how
sorry I am that； thus far； I have been unable to be of any real service to her。
As I shall see you so soon I need write nothing further。 Kind regards to
Miss Alice。 Ever yours；GEORGE MAITLAND。
When I had finished reading this letter I looked up at Gwen； expecting
to see that its news had depressed her。 I must confess； however； that I
could not detect any such effect。 On the contrary； she seemed to be in
much better spirits than when I began reading。 〃According to this letter；
then；〃 she said； addressing me somewhat excitedly； 〃we may … 〃 but she let
fall her eyes and did not complete her sentence。 My sister bestowed
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upon her one of those glances described in the vernacular of woman as
〃knowing〃 and then said to me： 〃We may expect Mr。 Maitland at any time；
it seems。〃 〃Yes；〃 I replied； 〃he will lose no time in
