The Second Confesion

“That's right.” Kane looked and sounded very earnest. “I was simply trying to be thoroughly honest about it, after behaviour of which I was ashamed. If I had in me the kind of calculation you have described I didn't know it.” “I see.” Archer looked at the paper, folded it, and sat holding it. How well did you know Rony?” “Oh-not intimately. I had seen him frequently the past few months, mostly at the Sperling home in New York or here.” “Were you on good terms with him?” “No.” It was a blunt uncompromising no. Archer snapped, “Why not?” “I didn't like what I knew of the way he practised his profession. I didn't like him personally-I just didn't like him. I knew that Mr Sperling suspected him of being a Communist, and while I had no evidence or knowledge of my own, I thought that the suspicion might easily be well founded.” “Did you know that Miss Gwenn Sperling was quite friendly with him?” “Certainly. That was the only reason he was allowed to be here.” “You didn't approve of that friendship?” “I did not, no, sir-not that my approval or disapproval mattered any. Not only am I am employee of Mr Sperling's corporation, but for more than four years I have had the pleasure and honour of being a friend-a friend of the family, if I may say that?” He looked at Sperling. Sperling nodded to indicate that he might say that.

Kane went on: “I have deep respect and affection for all of them, including Miss Gwenn Sperling, and I thought Rony wasn't fit to be around her. May I ask a question?” “Certainly.” “I don't know why you're asking about my personal opinion Rony unless it's because you suspect me of killing him, not accident, but intentionally. Is that it?” “I wouldn't say I suspect that, Mr Kane. But this statement disposes of the matter with finality, and before I accept it as it stands-” Archer puckered his lips. “Why, do you resent my questions?” “I do not,” Kane said emphatically. “I'm in no position to resent questions, especially not from you. But it-” “I do,” Sperling blurted. He had been restraining himself. “What are you trying to do, Archer, make some mud if you can't find any? You said this morning it wasn't the policy of your office to go out of the way to make trouble for men of my standing. When did you change your policy?” Archer laughed. It was even closer to a giggle than it had been in the morning, but it lasted longer and it sounded as if he was enjoying it more.