분야
hwp I shall never forget the weekend Laura died.
A silver sun burned through the sky like a huge magnifying glass.
It was the hottest Sunday in my recollection.
I felt as if I were the only human being left in New York.
For with Lauras horrible death, I was alone.
I, Waldo Lydecker...
was the only one who really knew her...
and I hadjust begun to write Lauras story when...
another of those detectives came to see me.
I had him wait.
I could watch him through the half-open door.
I noted that his attention was fixed upon my clock.
There was only one other in existence...
and that was in Lauras apartment...
in the very room where she was murdered.
Careful there. That stuff is priceless.
Come in here, please.
Mr. Lydecker?
Ah, you recognize me. How splendid.
Sit down, please.
Nice little place you have here, Mr. Lydecker.
Its lavish, but I call it home.
I suppose youre here about the Laura Hunt murder.
Yesterday morning, after Lauras body was found...
I was questioned by Sergeants McAvity and Schultz...
and I stated...
"On Friday night, Laura had a dinner engagement with me...
"after which she was ostensibly going out of town.
"She phoned and canceled our engagement at exactly : .
- After that I- - You "ate a lonely dinner...
then got into the tub to read.
Why did you write it down?
Afraid youd forget it?
I am the most widely misquoted man in America.
When my friends do it, I resent it.
From Sergeants McAvity and Schultz, I should find it intolerable.
Hand me that washcloth, please, Mr.-
Mr.-
McPherson.
McPherson. McPherson.
Mark McPherson- the siege of Babylon, Long Island.
The gangster with the machine gun. Killed three policemen.
I told the story over the air and wrote a column about it.
Are you the one with the leg full oflead...
- the man who walked right in and got him? - Yeah.
Well, well. Hand me my robe, please.
You have a pretty good memory, Mr. Lydecker.
I always liked that detective with the silver shinbone.
Thanks. I hope you wont have any reason to change your mind about me.
- Have you any more questions? - Yeah,just one.
Two years ago, in your October column...
you started out to write a book review...
but at the bottom of the column, you switched over to the Harrington murder case.
Are the processes of the creative mind now under thejurisdiction of the police?
You said Harrington was rubbed out with a shotgun loaded with buckshot...
the way Laura Hunt was murdered night before last.
- Did I? - Yeah.
But he was really killed with a sash weight.
How ordinary. My version was obviously superior.
I never bother with details, you know.
I do. Well, so long.
Mind if I go with you?
- What for? - Murder is my favorite crime.
I write about it regularly...
and I know youll have to visit everyone on your list of suspects.
Id like to study their reactions.
- Youre on the list yourself, you know. - Good.
To have overlooked me would have been a pointed insult.
Youre not the sort of man one would insult, Mr. Lydecker.
- Do you really suspect me? - Yes.
McPherson, if you know anything about faces, look at mine.
How singularly innocent I look this morning.
Have you ever seen such candid eyes?
Something you confiscated in a raid on a kindergarten?
Takes a lot of control. Would you like to try it?
No, thanks.
Were you in love with Laura Hunt, Mr. Lydecker?
Was she in love with you?
Laura considered me the wisest, the wittiest...
the most interesting man shed ever met.
I was in complete accord with her on that point.
She thought me also the kindest...
the gentlest...
the most sympathetic man in the world.
Did you agree with her there too?
McPherson, you wont understand this...
but I tried to become the kindest, the gentlest...
the most sympathetic man in the world.
Have any luck?
Let me put it this way.
I should be sincerely sorry to see my neighbors children devoured by wolves.
Shall we go?
- Good morning, Lieutenant. - Good morning, Mrs. Treadwell.
- Waldo. - Good morning, Ann.
- Ive just taken over the Laura Hunt case. - Wont you sit down?
Thanks. I have all the reports...
but there are a few more questions Id like to ask.
Certainly. Ill do anything I can to help.
You were fond of your niece, Mrs. Treadwell?
Why, I adored her. Cigarette?
No, thanks. You collapsed when you identified the body.
I can quite understand that. A shotgun loaded with buckshot, close range.
- Its not very nice to look at. - It was horrible.
Her maid Bessie, I suppose she was devoted to Miss Hunt?
Oh, she worshipped her. Laura had had her for years.
Ill never forget her scream when she saw Laura lying there.
Did you approve of Miss Hunts coming marriage to Mr. Carpenter?
Why? Shouldnt I approve?
I dont know. What is your relationship with Mr. Carpenter?
What do you mean?
What I mean is, hes been a frequent guest in your home.
Is he an acquaintance? Friend? Are you in love with him?
This is beginning to assume fabulous aspects.
Oh, shut up, Waldo! What are you driving at?
The truth, Mrs. Treadwell. Are you in love with him?
Why, no. I
