The Second Confesion

“I hope you don't think I'm taking this lightly. This is a very regrettable affair. Very.” “It certainly is,” Sperling agreed Archer nodded, puckering his mouth. “Very regrettable. There's no reason why I shouldn't be entirely frank with you, Mr Sperling-and in Mr Wolfe's presence, since you have retained him in your interest. It is not the policy of my office to go out of its way to make trouble for men of your standing. That's only common sense. We have considered your suggestion that Rony was killed elsewhere, in a road accident, and the body brought here and concealed on your property, but we can't-that is, it couldn't have happened that way. He got off the train at Chappaqua at nine twenty-three, and the taxi driver brought him to the entrance to your grounds and saw him start walking up the driveway. Not only that, there is clear evidence that he was killed, run over by a car, on your drive at a point about thirty feet this side of the bridge crossing the brook.

That evidence is still being accumulated, but there is already enough to leave no room for doubt. Do you want me to send for a man to give you the details?” “No,” Sperling said.

“You're welcome to them at any time. The evidence indicates that the car was going east, away from the house, toward the entrance, but that is not conclusive. Inspection of the cars belonging here has not been completed. It is possible that it was some other car-any car-which came in from the road, but you will understand why that theory is the least acceptable. It seems improbable, but we haven't rejected it, and frankly, we see no reason for rejecting it unless we have to.” Archer puckered his lips again, evidently considering words that were ready to come, and decided to let diem through.