The Murder at the Vicarage-28
The 
Murder at the Vicarage
Chapter Twenty - Eight
I hurried down the village street. It was eleven o＊clock, and at 
eleven o＊clock on the Sunday night the whole village of St. Mary Mead might be dead. I 
saw, however, a light in a first 每 floor window as I passed, and, realizing that Hawes 
was still up, I stopped and rang the doorbell.
After what seemed a long time, Hawes＊s landlady, Mrs. Sadler, 
laboriously unfastened two bolts, a chain, and turned a key, and peered out at me 
suspiciously.
※Why, it＊s Vicar!§ she exclaimed.
※Good evening,§ I said. ※I want to see Mr. Hawes. I see there＊s 
a light in the window, so he＊s up still.§
※That may be. I＊ve not seen him since I took up his supper. He＊s 
had a quiet evening 每 no one to see him, and he＊s not been out.§
I nodded and, passing her, went quickly up the stairs. Hawes has a 
bedroom and sitting 每 room on the first floor.
I passed into the latter. Hawes was lying back in a long chair asleep. 
My entrance did not wake him. An empty cachet box and a glass of water, half full, stood 
beside him.
On the floor, by his left foot, was a crumpled sheet of paper with 
writing on it. I picked it up and straightened it out.
It began: My dear Clement＃
I read it through, uttered an exclamation, and shoved it into my 
pocked. Then I bent over Hawes and studied his attentively.
Next, reaching for the telephone which stood by his elbow, I gave the 
number of the Vicarage. Melchett must have been still trying to trace the call, for I was 
told that the number was engaged. Asking them to call me, I put the instrument down again.
I put my hand into my pocket to look at the paper I had picked up once 
more. With it, I drew out the note that I had found in the letter box, and which was still 
unopened.
It＊s appearance was horribly familiar. It was the same handwriting as 
a anonymous letter that come that afternoon.
I tore it open.
I read it once 每 twice 每 unable to realize its contents.
I was beginning to read it a third time when the telephone rang. Like a 
man in a dream I picked up the receiver and spoke.
※Hullo?§
※Hullo.§
※Is that you, Melchett?§
※Yes, where are you? I＊ve traced that call. The number is＃§
※I know the number.§
※Oh! Good. Is that where you are speaking from?§
※Yes.§
※What about that confession?§
※I＊ve got the confession, all right.§
※You mean you＊ve go the murderer?§
I had then the strongest temptation of my life. I looked at Hawes. I 
looked at the crumpled letter. I looked at the anonymous scrawl. I looked at the empty 
cachet box with the name of Cherubim on it. I remembered a certain casual conversation.
I made a immense effort.
※I 每 don＊t know,§ I said. ※You＊d better come round.§
And I gave him the address.
Then I sat down in the chair opposite Hawes to think.
I had two clear minutes in which to do so.
In two minutes＊ time, Melchett would have arrived.
I took up the anonymous letter and read it through again for the third 
time.
Then I closed my eyes and thought＃
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