The Wahpeton times., 1889-08-15

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y Bone time ago 8 murder was com
mitted at Foochow, China, which at
first bafaed the skin Of doctors and left
the police without any clew. The
circumstances, according to the ST.
James Gazette, were as follows: A
small shop-keeper named Le was one
morning found dead in his bed. This
was at once, according to law, reported
to the magistrate, who was ex-oficio
coroner of the district. and who with
out delay sent his offers to make the
preliminary investigation. These mes
sengers found the house draped with
every emblem of woe, and the widow
beside herself with grief. The body
bore no outward signs of violence,
and, to all appearances, suggested
death from natural causes. In due
course the magistrate held an inquest,
and having applied every test known to
Chinese science, declared himself com.
pletely at fault.
He reported, therefore, to the Prefect
that there was no evidence to show
how Le had met his death. This result
however, failed to satisfy the Prefect,
who was an austere man and abhorred
antiquities. He therefore referred the
report back to the magistrate, with
direction to make further investigation
and to arrive at a more definite finding.
This rescript reached the magistrate
when he was taking his ease in the
bosom of his family, and awoke most
unpleasant anticipations in his mind as
to the course which it was probable the
Prefect would take in case Of a further
failure. In his difficulty he took his
wife into his confidence. Having listen
ed carefully to all he had to say, and
having asked many questions as to the
lie family and their surroundings. she
said: ff''5f
Ibid you examine, carefully the
crown. of his head, under. the thick
locks of hair which form the queue9'
mo" replied her husband, ..it never
occurred to me to do sou ',-'&,' "7'g
''Then If. I were you I should, 81 said
his wife. "a
; Acting on this hint the magistrate re-
turned to Les house, and, having care
fully parted the hair on the crown of
the head, found the end of a nail which,
had been driven home into the skull.
This discovery created the greatest
consterna ton in the household, and
Mrs. Les grief gave way to undis-
guised terror when the magistrate ord
cred herr arrest. Proud and triumphant,
the magistrate reported to the Prefect.
the result of his second inquest.
Il congratulate you on your skill and
acumen," said the superior officer. 81
suppose there can be no doubt that the
widow is the criminal. But tel1-me
what made you think of searching in
that spotp" . az - ~,
Il feel convinced, your Excellency,
that Mrs. LIE is guilty. Her terror when
Ipointed at the nail showed only too
plainly that she was at all events a
pardcipator in the crime. As to your
second question I must confess that I
acted on the suggestion of my dull
thorn Il. e., wife), to whom I had mar
rated the circumstances of Les death -
"1ndeed"said the Prefect. MAY I
ask who your wife was? So talented q
lady doubtless belonged to some schol-
ar's family"
my dull thorn" answered the maeis-
trate. "was the daughter of the Taotal
OF Hangchow and was the widow of a
merchant in that city named Oh'en,
who died within few months of his
marriage"
Suddenly" inquired the Prefect.
Rather, believe" said the mapis.
trate.
Il should like to make the acquaint-
ance OF so clever lady," replied the
Prefect "And would take her evidence
at the same time. Would you bring
her at once to my yamun?"
Delighted at the distinction thus con.
ferred upon her. the lady readily re-
paired to his yamun, where, after the
usual compliments, the Prefect entered
upon the matter in hand. He praised
her ability, and drew from her a full
account Of the interview at which she
had made the notable suggestion.
':May I ask,r he went on to saw.
''what put it into your head to think it |
possible that q nail should have been
driven into that spot of the mans
skull?" :. ...g. -
Il thought it possible she answer
ed, with some confusion, ,'.as I remem-
bered once having heard of a similar
case"
"Youf first husband, I believe, died
rather suddenly, did he not? May I i
ask what he died OFF"
This further question increased the
lady's confusion SO much that it was
some minutes before she could ans
Wor.