Well, that is a good sweeping
generalization. Let us see what that brings us to. They invent
this theory to account for the crime. They then play up to the
idea by leaving this bicycle in the park as proof of the
existence of some outsider. The stain on the windowsill conveys
the same idea. So does the card on the body, which might have
been prepared in the house. That all fits into your hypothesis,
Watson. But now we come on the nasty, angular, uncompromising
bits which won't slip into their places. Why a cut-off shotgun
of all weapons--and an American one at that? How could they be
so sure that the sound of it would not bring someone on to them?
It's a mere chance as it is that Mrs. Allen did not start out to
inquire for the slamming door. Why did your guilty couple do all
this, Watson?"
"I confess that I can't explain it."
"Then again, if a woman and her lover conspire to murder a
husband, are they going to advertise their guilt by
ostentatiously removing his wedding ring after his death? Does
that strike you as very probable, Watson?"
"No, it does not."
"And once again, if the thought of leaving a bicycle concealed
outside had occurred to you, would it really have seemed worth
doing when the dullest detective would naturally say this is an
obvious blind, as the bicycle is the first thing which the
fugitive needed in order to make his escape.
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