The Washington times., 1894-11-26
p Mut8riOUS TrUSt.


poor Guy Denning's myster 9us sealed pack
age-a very fortunate circumstance, it seemed
to me; for the discovery had just made
caused me to entertain fears for Denning' s
sanity, and was glad to have the chance of
getting such valuable opinion as DR.. Mac
pherson's on the subject.
The doctor had dropped in to ask whether
1 could recommend anybody to act as his
amanuensis. 1t was the ideal post that had
been wishing could find for Denning.
To me it seemed remarkable coincidence
that Macpherson should offer it just at the
moment when thoughts of the young fellow
were filling my mind.
II have the exact man for you" I said, ga
college friend of mine called Guy Denning,
who lost his whole fortune two years ago by
the failure Of a bank There are only two
possible drawbacks if you wish to engage
him. One is that he may be dead, and the
other is that it seems to me very much as
though he is mad
Macpherson laughed, although was speak
ing very seriously.
In either case he would not be of much
use for my purpose. What makes you think
he may be mad?"
well, the thought did not occur to me un-
til this morning, l admit. l will tell you the
whole affair, and see what you think about
it. When Denning lost his money, as told
you, he would not let me help him in any
way, although believe he was absolutely
penniless. He certainly was five weeks ago,
when he turned up Unexpectedly after the
lapse OF almost year, during which had
not seen or heard of him. He told me that
he had been having a rough time but would
N al ms land him n what iS the
use of borrowing when shall never have the
chance of paying back2' he said, and | had
never heard him speak in such thoroughly
hopeless tone. what | want you do, he went
on, is 10 mind this little sealed packet for me
! for month, if you do not mind. Guard 1t as
! something very precious, for the thought OF
! il will be the only thing that will keep my
| courage up while l am away. You will keep
! it carefully, won't your and remember that it
! is the most precious thing l have in the
world. l promised solemnly since he seemed
! so eager about it, and Denning went on: A
| month from to-day shall come back TO- It.
/ want you to promise that whatever happens
or whatever you may think you will let me
| have it back at the end of the mouth. If IN
| five weeks time / have not asked for it you
can do what YOU like with the parcel. What
! il contains should like you TO Destroy"
How long ago was that?" asked Maepher-
son.
Five weeks yesterday"
iiThen you have opened this mysteriou;
pareel?"
Yes. an hour ago. will bring it and lei
/ you have look at it.
The physician took the small cubical packet
and unwrapped the paper covering. Beneath
was an ordinary wooden box about three
| inches square, which contained a smaller
package covered with more paper. Aftel
| these wrappings were removed another very
Ia .s.k.,
be full of tissue paper. / watched the physi
clans face as he unwrapped them one by one
till in the very inmost paper he came 10 th'
article which had been packed so carefully
the single dried pip OF an orange.
Il should like to take it home with me t
look at. if you don't mind.
z. On the very day that Macpherson tool
away the pip was relieved by the receipt o
4 letter from Denning himself. in which he in
formed me that he proposed to call on MI
that same evening.
| sent round a message to Harley street
therefore, asking Macpherson to forward
| Denning's packet at once. Macpherson him
self brought over the mysterious packet witt
the pip apparently uninjured by his investi
cations, if he had made any. He had no
time to say what he had done, for Guy Den
ming was already in the house. and when
handed the wrapped-up box to him he seize
it eagerly and undid the many papers wit
trembling fingers, uttering a little cry Of re
lief as he came to the pip. Then, as watches
him, to my astonishment, he lifted it to hi
mouth and deliberately swallowed it.
''It means that in a few minutes all m
troubles will be at an end. +" he said, quietly
seating himself by my desk. Il am sorry t.
have had to take my life, and more sorry Il
bother you with the affair, the only man VIII
has shown me kindness. but / do not want t
die all alone, and cannot stand any longe
what have had to go through during tn
last year. This pip bought IL China fou
years ago. although | did not expect l shoul
ever have TO use ii. The poison it is saturate
with is said to be painless and to leave n
traces. | thought you would arrange so tha
everybody will think | have died naturally.
"There is no antidote for the poison l hav
taken. Doctor" he said, and the physical
answered briskly:
80 they say in China, but, lucky for you,
have met with these poisoned orange pip
before" And then he went on talking in th
most ordinary tone about the amanuensis b
wanted Offering the post to Denning in wa
that seemed to me perfectly heartless, consiC
ering that hewas talking to a man who woul
most probably be a corpse before the nigh
was over.
1t was not till the meal was over that poe
Denning began to think the doctor was rigl
and that life was still before him. Then, whe
he had retired to have bath and get into
suit of my clothes, seized the opportunity t
compliment Macpherson on his successfU
treatment of the case.
''What did the antidote consist of?' asked
and the brain specialist smiled dryly.
"The drink / gave him was only dilute
port. do not want to make the poor fello'
feel foolish after the awful mental strain b
must have gone through"
"Then wasn't the pip poisoned?"
eyes, with deadly poison for which ther
is no antidote But took the precaution, c
course, before returning the packet of chang
ing the pip.-Pall Mall Budget.