CHAPTER XXX
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER WRITTEN BY MAJOR SMEDLEY TO HIS FRIEND MRS. EARLE, IN CALCUTTA.
. . . Amateurs are so foolish about such things. Look at Ian Hereward, a man of intelligence in some ways. He actually seemed to suppose that by that famous "statement" of his, which aroused such a sensation, he was freeing Barr from all possible suspicion, and tearing away the veil of mystery from Millicent Hereward's death. Why, a young and inexperienced boy might have known better! But that shows, when a thing comes very near to you, you lose the "point of view," so to speak. It's like holding the palm of your hand close in front of your eyes. Not only are you prevented from seeing it clearly but it shuts out everything distant from your sight.
They say Wilbraham, who was one of the best legal minds in England, advised Hereward that he would do harm to himself as well as fail to clear Barr, if he made the statement, but Hereward obstinately persisted. The gossip is that Miss Ricardo urged him to take the course, and I for one believe the story, as it would be like her, don't you think? Not that I
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