Page:The Kiss and Other Stories by Anton Tchekhoff, 1908.pdf/177

 man could possibly kill our friend?’ The magistrates who held the inquest and saw the good man's body came to this conclusion. ‘Here,’ they said, ‘we have all the signs of murder. But as there exists not on earth a man who would kill our doctor, this can be no case of murder; and the marks on his body are a mere accident. It is plain that the doctor fell into the ravine in the darkness and dashed himself to death,’

“And this opinion was shared by all the town. They buried their doctor, and no one thenceforth spoke of his death as a crime. That a man should exist so infamous as to kill their friend they refused to believe. Even infamy has its limits? Is it not so?

“But not long afterwards — you may imagine it — chance pointed to the murderer. A notorious ne'er-do-well and evil-liver, who had been more than once in gaol, was caught in a drink-shop selling for liquor the doctor's snuff-box and watch. When taxed with the crime he lost his head and told transparent lies. They searched his house and found in his bed a blood-stained shirt and the doctor's lancet, which was set with gold. What further clues were wanted? He was put in gaol. The townspeople were horrified, but they continued to say —

“‘Incredible! It is impossible. Be sure there is no mistake; circumstantial evidence like this often leads to injustice!’