Page 110 of Murder in Highbury

Her husband looked about to retort when Dr. Hughes was ushered in.

“Thank you for your promptness,” George said, going to meet him. “I promise we won’t keep you long.”

“When Mr. Knightley calls, I spring to action,” he replied with a ponderous attempt at humor. “Now, sir, how can I be of help?”

“Dick Curtis is not guilty of Mrs. Elton’s murder and must be released from the gaol.”

Dr. Hughes peered at him over the top of his tiny spectacles. “And what is the proof of this?”

With an admirable economy of words—and declining to mention Emma’s involvement—George outlined the evidence acquired from Farmer Mitchell. The doctor was soon nodding in agreement.

“That certainly seems definitive, Mr. Knightley, since Farmer Mitchell and his wife are most trustworthy people.”

“So Dick will be released?” Emma asked.

“If Mr. Knightley will be so kind as to send a letter to the warden, I will inform Constable Sharpe that he is to turn the investigation in another direction.”

She couldn’t refrain from narrowing her gaze at him. “I hope that direction is not toward Miss Bates. That would be outside of enough.”

While Dr. Hughes looked mildly affronted by her remark, he did not disagree. “Although it’s true that her behavior was initially suspicious, Miss Bates does not possess the strength or temperament to carry out such a heinous crime.”

Emma quietly breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, sir. I worried that the constable was fixed on the promissory note as sufficient motive for murdering Mrs. Elton.”

“I believe the issues surrounding the note have been adequately addressed. I might also add that ladies, in general, are incapable of violent criminal acts. They are delicate creatures, easily overset by such things as the sight of blood.”

Emma found his analysis both silly and irritating. Motivated by the greater good, however, she declined to debate with him.

“I don’t imagine Constable Sharpe will be pleased to be told that he now has no viable suspects,” she said instead.

Dr. Hughes shot up a dramatic finger. “But I think we do, Mrs. Knightley.”

Emma exchanged a startled glance with her husband.

“This is news to me,” said George. “Who is this suspect?”

“Why, the poultry thief, of course. He is back and has grown excessively bold. He is clearly a dangerous man and a vile thief.”

Emma felt her jaw sag like an ill-fitting drawer, while George regarded the doctor with an astonished expression.

She found her voice. “Sir, I don’t wish to be rude, but how does one go from raiding a chicken coop to murdering the vicar’s wife?”

“Mrs. Knightley, I assure you that a man capable of stealing a much-prized Speckled Sussex hen is capable of anything.”

Good God.Their coroner was a complete idiot.

“Doctor, I must admit that your theory seems a trifle unusual,” George diplomatically commented.

Exasperated, Emma shook her head. “It seems nonsensical, if you ask me.”

“Only to the untrained mind, Mrs. Knightley,” the doctor replied in haughty tones. “Those of us who deal in such matters, however, can see what others cannot.”

Sadly, what she could see was that Mrs. Elton’s murder investigation had now descended into the realm of farce.

CHAPTER22

When Emma rejoined her husband in the drawing room after dinner, he put aside his book and stood.

“Is your father settled for the night?” he asked. “Or is he still fretting about the murderous inclinations of the poultry thief?”