Murder at Mansfield Park

without it, my investigation is thwarted before it even
commences.’
    ‘You mistake me, Mr Maddox,’ said Edmund coldly, a deep shade of crimson overspreading his features. ‘It is out of the question, because the coffin has already been sealed. To
open it again—to break open the shroud—would be a sacrilegious outrage that I cannot— will not —permit.’
    ‘I see,’ said Maddox, eyeing him coolly. ‘In that case, may I be permitted to speak to the person who laid out the corpse? It is a poor substitute, but in such a circumstance,
secondhand intelligence is better than no intelligence at all.’
    Tom hesitated, and looked to his cousin. ‘What think you, Edmund? May we impose so much on Miss Crawford’s kindness?’
    ‘Could such an importunate interview not wait a few days?’ said Edmund, angrily. ‘It has been a distressing day for us all, and for none more so than Miss Crawford. She
finished laying out the body not two hours ago.’
    ‘So much the better,’ replied Maddox. ‘The lady’s memory will be all the fresher for it. You would be surprised, Mr Norris, how quickly one’s powers of recall
weaken and become confused, especially in cases such as this, when the mind is exerting itself to throw a mist over unpleasantness. We all believe our faculties of recollection to be so retentive,
yet I have questioned witnesses who would swear to have seen things that I know, from my own knowledge, to be absolutely impossible. And yet they sincerely believe what they say. Which is why it is
essential that I speak with this Miss Crawford without delay. There is not a moment to lose.’
    Edmund turned and went to the window, and remained there some moments. This did not fail to attract a considerable degree of interest from Mr Maddox, though he said nothing, and appeared to be
absorbed merely in contemplating the set of family portraits that hung on the wall behind.
    A moment later Edmund turned to face them; his features had assumed an air of grim determination, but his voice was steady.
    ‘I will ask Miss Crawford to join us. I am sure you will find her to be both accurate and reliable in her observations.’
    He bowed hurriedly, and left the room. There was a short silence, in the course of which, Mr Maddox got up from his chair, and strolled with apparent unconcern towards the paintings.
    ‘Is this the victim?’ he asked.
    ‘I beg your pardon?’ said Tom, who had not been accustomed to such language as this.
    ‘Fanny Price—is this her?’
    ‘Yes,’ said Tom, stiffly, bridling at the familiarity. ‘That is indeed a likeness of Miss Price.’
    ‘And is it a good one?’
    ‘I believe it is generally thought to be so. It was drawn some two years ago.’
    ‘I see,’ said Maddox, thoughtfully. ‘A handsome woman. A very handsome woman, if I may say so. And an heiress, into the bargain. Your Mr Norris was a lucky fellow. And to lose
such a prize, in such a way—it would be a wonder if his life were not ruined. Would it not, Mr Bertram?’
    Tom was saved from the necessity of a reply by the sound of the door opening, and the reappearance of Edmund, accompanied by Mary.
    ‘I have explained the circumstances to Miss Crawford,’ he said, ‘and she has kindly agreed to answer any questions you may have. But I would beg you to recollect that we have
already made more demands on her than we can claim any right to, and she is, as a consequence, quite exhausted. Pray do not tire her unnecessarily, or distress her without good reason.’
    Edmund made to take a seat, but Maddox prevented him. ‘I would much prefer to speak with Miss Crawford in private, Mr Norris.’
    ‘Why so? Surely that is not necessary?’
    ‘In my experience, Mr Norris, people find it easier to be completely frank and open in their disclosures, when their family or acquaintances are not listening to every word they say. All
the more so, when the questions to be asked are of such a delicate and, shall we say, squeamish nature. So if Miss Crawford permits—?’
    Mary held his gaze for a moment, and he perceived the slightest lift of her head as she replied, with some self-possession, ‘Thank you for your concern, Mr Norris, but I am quite content.
I will speak to Mr Maddox alone.’
    Mary had been both surprised and pleased when Edmund had sought her in the dining-parlour, but she had instantly perceived him to be wholly preoccupied by some thing that seemed to have little
to do with her; his manner was