ABC谋杀案 31

Twenty-eight,NOT FROM CAPTAIN HASTINGS’ PERSONAL NARRATIVEIInspector Crome was in his office at Scotland Yard.,The telephone on his desk gave a discreet buzz and he picked it up.,“Jacobs speaking, sir. There’s a young fellow come in with a story that I think you ought tohear. ”,Inspector Crome sighed. On an average twenty people a day turned up with so-called importantinformation about the A B C case. Some of them were harmless lunatics, some of them were well-meaning persons who genuinely believed that their information was of value. It was the duty ofSergeant Jacobs to act as a human sieve—retaining the grosser matter and passing on the residueto his superior.,“Very well, Jacobs,
” said Crome. “Send him along.”,“This is Mr. Tom Hartigan, sir. He’s got something to tell us which may have a possible bearingon the A B C case. ”,The inspector rose pleasantly and shook hands.,“Good morning, Mr. Hartigan. Sit down, won’t you? Smoke? Have a cigarette?
”,Tom Hartigan sat down awkwardly and looked with some awe at what he called in his ownmind “One of the bigwigs.” The appearance of the inspector vaguely disappointed him. He lookedquite an ordinary person!,“Now then, ” said Crome. “You’ve got something to tell us that you think may have a bearing onthe case. Fire ahead.
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