Braithwaite sharply, “Kentworthy went very much beyond his instructions. But of course I admit that in a sense, speaking to you as man to man, he spoke the truth.” Harry Garlett looked fixedly at the speaker, as if suddenly dowered with something like second-sight. He could almost see the interrogation mark in Mr. Braithwaite’s mind: “Is 91this man standing here before me an innocent man, or that vilest form of murderer—the secret poisoner?” 91 Speaking in a hard, composed tone of voice, he said firmly: “I will be open with you, gentlemen. You probably know that I am going to be married. Putting myself out of the question, I feel that for the sake of my future wife I am compelled to ask the Home Secretary to issue an exhumation order. Surely I have the right, as an Englishman accused—however you may gloss over the fact—of the hideous crime of murder, to insist on the only thing that can absolutely clear me?” At that moment Harry Garlett triumphed. The two civil servants looked at one another, each of them convinced that the man who had just spoken those strong, determined words was innocent. “Have you the slightest conception of what will happen if the Home Secretary accedes to your request, Mr. Garlett?” The words were uttered gravely and kindly. “Do you realize that it will be impossible for the fact of the exhumation of your wife’s body to be concealed from the press—not only the local press, mind you, but the press of the whole country?” “Yes, I do realize that. In fact, everything to be said against an exhumation has been put to me, and very strongly, by Dr. Maclean.” “Then why not let the matter rest for the present?” interposed Dr. Wilson. “While it is obviously impossible for us to give you any promise, unofficially we can assure you that the matter is closed, and that only in the case of real evidence of foul play would it be reopened.” Mr. Braithwaite chimed in: “Forgive me for alluding to your private affairs, but may I say that what you are now asking us to do may be a very grave matter for the lady who is going to be your wife, Mr. Garlett?” “We talked it over last evening, and I left the final decision to her. So you see that it is her wish as well as mine that the matter should be laid to rest for ever in the only way
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