Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Hugh decided to tell him about Peter Middleton. It was an act of desperation, for if Edward refused to believe that Micky might have killed Solly eleven years ago, why would he believe that Micky had killed Peter twenty-four years ago? But Hugh had to try. "Micky killed Peter Middleton, too," he said, knowing that he was in danger of sounding wild.

"This is ridiculous!"

"You think you killed him, I know that. You ducked him repeatedly, then went chasing after Tonio; and you think that Peter was too exhausted to swim to the side, and drowned. But there's something you don't know."

Despite his skepticism, Edward was intrigued. "What?"

"Peter was a very strong swimmer."

"He was a weed!"

"Yes--but he had been practicing swimming every day that spring. He was a weed all right, but he could swim for miles. He swam to the side without difficulty--Tonio saw it."

"What ..." Edward swallowed. "What else did Tonio see?"

"While you were climbing up the side of the quarry, Micky held Peter's head under the water until he drowned."

To Hugh's surprise, Edward did not spurn the idea. Instead he said: "Why have you waited so long to tell me this?"

"I didn't think you'd believe me. I'm only telling you now out of desperation, to try to dissuade you from this latest Cordovan investment." He studied Edward's expression, and went on: "But you do believe me, don't you?"

Edward nodded.

"Why?"

"Because I know why he did it."

"Why?" said Hugh. He was inflamed by curiosity. He had wondered about this for years. "Why did Micky kill Peter?"

Edward took a long swallow of his Madeira, then he went silent. Hugh was afraid he would refuse to say any more. But eventually he spoke. "In Cordova the Mirandas are a wealthy family, but their dollars don't buy much over here. When Micky came to Windfield he spent his entire year's allowance in a few weeks. But he had boasted of his family's riches, and he was much too proud to admit the truth. So, when he ran out of money ... he stole."

Hugh remembered the scandal that had rocked the school in June of 1866. "The six gold sovereigns that were stolen from Mr. Offerton," he said wonderingly. "Micky was the thief?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'm damned."

"And Peter knew."

"How?"

"He saw Micky coming out of Offerton's study. When the theft was reported he guessed the truth. He said he would tell unless Micky owned up. We thought it was a piece of luck to catch him at the pool. When I ducked him I was trying to frighten him into silence. But I never thought ..."