Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 61 – Ripley · Verses Across
Literature · Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 61Chapter 60
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Literature · Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 61
Chapter 60
RipleyEnglish
The Pullman Car Murder
‘Tell your story to Professor Fordney,’ said the superintendent, introducing the conductor.
‘Well,’ said Jackson, ‘last night just after we left Albany, lower eight let out a terrifying shriek. I was standing at one end of the car, the maid, porter, and brakeman at the other end. We met at the berth as Briggs was gasping his last from a knife wound in the heart. I immediately had both doors of the car guarded as well as the doors to the washrooms. Every berth was occupied, and by this time the passengers were milling around in the aisle.
‘I began to look for the missing knife with which Briggs had been killed. Every passenger, even the maid, brakeman, and porter, every inch of the car and all baggage, were searched, but still we failed to find it.
‘The window-sills were covered with freshly fallen snow and an examination proved that none of them had been opened. No one had left the car and no one had entered either washroom. I knew the knife must be in the car—but where?
‘Washington, our old Negro porter, really discovered the murderer’s identity by “scrutinizin’ ’em all.”
‘I know your reputation, Professor, so you will probably have little difficulty in determining how Washington located the assassin, but I’ll bet you can’t tell me where I found the knife.’
Jackson’s face fell as Fordney quickly replied, ‘As there was only one possible place it could have been, you found it....’
