The possibility of Mahbub's guilt
seemed to interfere with some theory of his own. He called Simmonds
and the district attorney to him, and they exchanged a few low words.
Then he turned back to the witness.
"I should like to question your attendant," he said. "Will you
translate for me? I have not been able to find a Hindu interpreter."
Silva bowed his consent.
"Ask him, please, where he spent Thursday night."
There was a brief interchange between Silva and Mahbub, then the
former turned to Goldberger.
"It was as I thought," he said. "He spent the night in the worship of
the attributes of Kali."
The coroner opened an envelope which lay on the table at his elbow and
took out a piece of knotted cord.
"Ask him if he ever saw this before," he said, and passed it to the
witness.
"I notice that it is stained," said Silva, looking at it. "Is it with
blood?"
"Yes."
"Then Mahbub will not touch it. For him to do so, would be to defile
himself."
"He doesn't need to touch it. Show it to him."
Silva spoke to his servant, holding up the cord. The latter glanced at
it and shook his head. Without a word, Silva handed the cord back to
the coroner.
Pages:
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156