Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-04-28

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see Mr. Courtney on the occasion of some
apparently triaing illness, for which pre-
scriptiou was written and banded to the
prisoner to have made up. This the lat
ter had carried to a we'll known, compe-
tent druggist who had put it up in his
presence.
The medicine consisted of three white
powders. each folded in scrap of paper.
and the whole enclosed in single wrap
per. They were to be given at intervals
of an hour. and had remained continuous
lly in the prisoners possession till the first
was administered. which was done BY him
self. Immediately on his return from the
druggists. Mr.. Courtney grew rapidly
worse and when, at the expiration of an
hour. second powder was administered,
the symptoms became SO alarming that a
messenger was despatched for the physi-
clan, who. on bis arrival, declared that
the patient was suffering from the effect
of poison. An examination of the remain
ing powder disclosed the fact that it was
pure arsenic It was too late for any an
tidote to be available; and in less than an
hour death had relieved he sufferer. An
autopsy Of the body and an analysis Of the
contents of the stomach. left no doubt as
to the cause of death. The presence of
arsenic, 10 necessary fatal quantity, was
indicated by every known chemical test.
It was further admitted by the prisoner
that he alone had access to his unSle's a.
partment. or had handled the medicine
from the time it was compounded by the
druggist till the coming Of the physician.
after the second powder had been taken.
The druggist, who was known to be a
man of extraordinary caution, and thor
oughly skilled 10 the business. was ready
to swear that by no possibility could any
mistake have occurred in putting up the
medicine.
To make matters worse, it transpired
that the amicable relations between the
uncle and nephew had been somewhat dis
turbed Of late, by reason Of an attachment
of the latter which was disapproved by the
former who had gone SO far as to threaten
to change bis will unless his wishes were
respected.
"Who was in company with you from
the time you received the medicine till
you returned to your uncle's house?" |
asked the prisoner. desperately cropping
after something to affard rag q. hope.
mo one. be answered, "bnt my cous-
in Charles, whom | met near the drug
gist's, and who accompanied me in"
[ drew from Edward the fact that
Charles saw the medicine put up; walked
with him a little way; then went back for
something. Edward waiting his return !;
then they walked nearly home together,
when Charles left. | also reminded Ed
ward that. his uncle being dead. If he al
so should die childless, Charles would in
herit the whole estate.
He did it! he did it !' the young man
cried in a paroxyism Of excitement too
earnest to be counterfeit. '.He went back
to get the poison when be left''me waiting.
He put it up to resemble the druggists
parcel, for which he substituted it as be
went along. Villian-I know'it now =
Carried the parcel in the right pocket of
my overcoat and it was on that side he
walkedl''
l was seated in my Office on the day
preceding that fixed for the trial. indulg-
ing in anything but sanguine expectations
when tap at the door announced visitor.
1t was detective whom I had employed.
What is 2" enquired after closing
the door.
Il made an arrest to-day" be answer
ed. land in the prisoners possession found
this overcoat," undoing package he had
brought.
"Well?"
In one of the pockets I found this
and he handed me small parcel which I
opened.
Inside were three papers, folded as
druggists put up their prescriptions.
1.-The person With whom | found this
coat" the detective continued, "confesses
that he stole it from billiard saloon, the
owner having laid it aside while playing !;
and the date he gives corresponds with
Mr.. Courtney's murder. But what is
more important, I have ascertained that
Charles Courtney is the owner Of the coat!"
Let US at once proceed to the drug
gist'sl" l exclaimed, springing from my
chair and snatching up my hat.
We we're soon there.
please examine that parcel" said,
putting it into the druggists hands.
He did so. carefully opening the papers
and inspecting their contents. They con-
tanned three white powders
''How do they correspond with those
you made up for, Mr.. Courtney?" in
quired. land for which others seem to
have been so mysteriously substituted p
They do not correspond at all" be
answered, ''they are the same"
"The same! How do you know that?"
by these figures" he replied, point
ing to the inside of one of the papers
II had made calculation that day on the
sheet Of paper part of which used in put
ting up the prescription bought by Ed
ward Horton. The remainder have pre-
served not knowing but it might become
important. Here it is. and you see how
this piece and the figures 6t it,"
:. They did exactly; the chaiu Of evidence
was complete!