The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-08

81 1 intend no disrespect sir. I only wish to
impress upon you the seriousness of the case
You think that Mrs. Valcour is in immedi-
ate dangerr
Yes, so immediate that believe one more
dose of the poison Will cause her DEATH
THE Captain rose and took a turn up and
down the little room. He paused before me and
spoke with voice that seemed stony, but had,
could feel, a little tremor of doubt in IL.
What you ask is impossible. On the
strength of few pieces of discolored paper you
want me to place under arrest man of wealth
and position, and charge him with the awful
crime of attempting to murder his wife.
And this solely upon the word of young man
whose experience is very limited and whose skill
is yet INFESTED. Do you know that ii Mrs Val
cour recovered and that you could not prove
your statements or that if she died despite of
my arresting him, he could bring suit against
| the company, and would probably recovere dam
ages to unexampled amount2 | decline posi-
lively to place Mr.. Valcour under arrest
And do you forget, Captain what risk if I
cannot sustain my charges? My whole career
will be blasted. Wherever l might go the story
would follow me. The risk to me is far greater
than the mere money one to the company. If
you positively decline, you say, and Mrs.
Valcour dies, shall make formal protest
against her being buried at sea. On arrival
| in Liverpool | shall demand an inquest and if,
In spite of my protest, you permit Mrs Valcour's
body to be buried at sea, | shall publish full
statement of the case with copy of my pro
test
You are determined, then, to defy my au
thoritv, Dr. Shawl
81 have no power to do so on board your
ship, CAPTAIN Carew, but am determined to
make every effort to save life that has been
Entrusted to me, and to stop murder, if can
Again he walked two or three times the
length of the little room.
g L will send for Mr. Valcour and tell him you
| think his presence is detrimental to his wifes
| recovery. l will be guided in my subsequent
| course by his manner but l do not promise
that in any event will take the risk of confn-
Very well, sir. Will you allow me to be
| present at the interview | will promise not to
| speak till either You or he shall address me-
lon that condition you may remain
THE Captain called the boy who was waiting
outside the door and sent request to Mr.. Val
cour to come at once. Neither of US spoke while
waiting his appearance. Captain Carew was,
probebly, TOO angry with me to to hold any
conversation about ordinary matters. | was glad
OF the respite to more summon all my
mental powers to deal with Mr.. Vancour
He came quickly and gave glance of un-
pleasant surprise at seeing me. He bowed cour-
teOusy however, and at once addressed himself
to the Captain
You wanted to speak to me, CaptainT
Yes, Mr.. Nalcour, about your Wife
" 'Ah. poor Marion, | find improve
ment. What does Dr. Shaw sayP he continued.
inning TO me with q smile that seemed to give
me shudder
Before l could frame an answer, the Captain
broke in:
DIR Shaw has made report to me, which it
will possibly be easier for him If communicated
by me. He thinks that your constant attendance
upon your wife is detrimental to her. He thinks
that the stewardess should have entire charge of
her will ask the purser to give you state
room entirely to yourself if You will agree to be
guided by DR.. Shaws opinion; and, let
add, that [ myself most earnestly advise the
change
mir. Valcour fixed his dark, glittering eyes on
t1a do ;,.h
the purpose of the Captains speech had been
| uttered When the Captain had finished Mr..
Valcour made no reply to him, but took a step
which brought him directly in front of me-
rose he did so, and we stood looking each
squarey in the eyes.
so. DR.. Shaw said he. with something of
sheer. your experience leads you TO conclude
that my attendance on my wife prevents her
recovery? If ever a attempted to quell
another by look, he tried it then.
" so much So answered. that l consider
your continued presence will be certainly fatal
II stood his gaze, and returned it with one
which meant to say. You murderer
For moment or two he did not answer. He
kept his eyes fixed mine. Suddenly they
finched. and he turned to the Captain and said:
'''It shall be az you wish, Captain Carew. I
would make any sacrifice to secure my wife's
| recovery
Again he bowed to us both and left the room.
We'll, Captain. what do you think nowP
" Il am afraid you We're right Now you had
L
how will you explain her husbands absencep
81 must leave that to chance. Say he's tenn
porariy worn out, or something
well, do your best, my boy. You're plucky
one. Shake handSr
Mrs Valcour was still asleep when reached
her room, and the stewardess reported no change
in her condition. / dismissed the stewardess to
get little much needed rest, and sat down to
wait the sick womans waking. l had not long
| to wait before she moaned feeblv, and then
turned slightly and opened her eyes with look
of evident fear in them. On seeing / was alone
with her, feeble ghost of smile lowered for
an instant on her lips
" Are you feeling any better [ asked
mo. was very Ill in the night fear l
shall not live TIE day out
You must not dream of such a thing I
cried, in as hopeful voice as could assume
L have new medicine that l know will work
wonders
1.-THE change in my voice attracted her at
tention. She placed her hand on my arm and
whispered:
"'Where is my husbandP
81 have secured another room for him. I
don't think it is good for either of you that he
should be constantly nursing you.
The clasp upon my arm frightened with
force which could not have believed she pos
| sessed.
" Then she exclaimed, you know all
"'All whatP gasped."
THAT am being poisoned
How, and when did you know I cried, for
getting all my caution and fearing that the
knowledge would cause such shock as to make
recovery hopeless.
Last night, or early this morning, after l
had taken some of the medicine, it seemed to
make me worse | would not take more then.
though Mr.. Valcour tried to persuade me- l
told him TO put lt.down and would take it in a
few minutes. | don't know how or why. but
something had read about case of arsenica
poisoning awoke again in my brain and saemed
to hurn into it. | reviewed my own symptoms
and became convinced | was another victim, and
that the murderer's hand was that of my-was
HIsr
"'And them
81 felt that must get to you and tell YOU
He had gone. was alone-I tried to move, but
| | fell back powerless-then 1 tried agaln-and [
know more till | awoke and found you here
| read it all in vour face-you will save me-
| WON'T Won. DOctor2 I am too yonnr To die vet