the car. He is very urgent about it." All at once it struck me that, without meaning to do so, I was saying this in Manderson's voice.
'As you found for yourself, Mr. Trent, I have a natural gift of mimicry. I had imitated Manderson's voice many times so successfully as to deceive even Bunner, who had been much more in his company than his own wife. It was, you remember'–Marlowe turned to Mr. Cupples–'a strong, metallic voice, of great carrying power, so unusual as to make it a very fascinating voice to imitate, and at the same time very easy. I said the words carefully to myself again, like this'–he uttered them, and Mr. Cupples opened his eyes in amazement–'and then I struck my hand upon the low wall beside me. "Manderson never returned alive?" I said aloud. "But Manderson shall return alive!"'
'In thirty seconds the bare outline of the plan was complete in my mind. I did not wait to think over details. Every instant was precious now. I lifted the body and laid it on the floor of the car, covered with a rug. I took the hat and the revolver. Not one trace remained on the green, I believe, of that night's
