The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-10-04

THAT Mr.. Medlic0tt has been p0is
0ned by certain drug, (This drug Il
no invention of the n0vice's: It actu
ally exists. Its symptoms and the diff
ficulty OF detecting 1t by analysis are
facts, but the author does not thinl
1t right to give the name in worl
OF this kindl do not think admit,
OF doubt; that his illness has, from
the first been caused by small dose,
OF this drug have half suspected
from the first. Had the murderer
whoever, 1t may be, been a little more
patient, he might have succeeded II
leaving the crime improved; for II IL
doubtful whether this poison aftel
passing through the stomach, can bt
detected by analysis. That n girl INK,
RosamOnd should have any knowledge
Of such u drug seems to ME absurd or
the face of it."
but Mr.; Medlicott. by the dispo
sition Of his will, and by his name,
Which l observed when drawing it ur
mad evidently some feeling against
her. remarked Mr.. Grey. "What
about that box:" he added, pointing
to the one upon the table. "Has She
been asked for the key of it,"
She protests she never saw Il n
her life BEFORE"
Where was 1t found?"
We'll, hidden, away somewhere. ]
don't exactly know where" answer
ed the dOct n reluctantly.
Hadn't tile key better be found
c search made for it:"
II suppose So"
Mr. Grey gave orders that Miss
RosamOnd's room should be infinitely
searched for keys likely to fit the ne
culiar lock Of the box.
I'VE are proceeding very irregular r.
~, he remarked ID the doctor. "yye
should have ut once applied for a
warrant. l am afraid we are only mi.
ting of the evil moment"
But to bring u charge of delIbcr
ate murder against that mere girl
seems to me SO terrible" said the doc.
tor. pacing up and down the room
Grimes quite as diabolicoi have
been committed by girls quite as limo.
cent looking us sle," answered the
lawyer with shrug. ''
While the unfortunate girl Law how.
ering as 1t We're between life and
death. unconscious of all that was
passing around, Il rigorous search was
instituted in her room.
In one of the corners of a small
drawer in which she kept laces ana
knickknacks, hidden beneath the
white paper with which it was lined,
they discovered tiny key, Just such
one as they were in search of.
When applied to the lock of the
mysterious box 1t fitted exactly.
MIR. Grey took upon himself the
task of opening 1t in the presence of
DIR. Grant. who watched the result
with the keenest interest: although
why so much importance should be
attached to this object he would have
found 1t difficult to explain.
a strong pungent smell of chemicals
came UP when the lid was lifted.
Buried in white wool, to prevent
them clashing were several small bot
ties, some empty, some half full, other
nearly drained, some closed with
glass shoppers, others with ordinary
cOrks.
The doctor hastily examined them,
smelling their contents.
He stopped at one which was near
ly empty and the lawyer saw by the
expression Of his face that he had
made discovery.
"Well?" lie said.
''This bottl e." said the doctor, "con-
tains the drug that l believe las caus-
ed Mr.. Medlicott's DEATH"
"Tllen our course is simple enough"
said Mr.. Grey. Indeed, there is but
one open to u.s.
"You mean to charge this unfort,l-
nate girl with the fact?" said the doc
tor.
Mr.. Grey nodded.
DR.. Grant played with the bottle
be- held between his fingers for mo-
ment. Then, looking up, lie said en-
phatically:
"Afr. Grey, this girl has never done
this. Why, such u collection us this
could belong only to an artist In poi
sons-if may be allowed such an ex-
preston. The whole thing is a con-
spiracy to shift the guilt from the real
culprit on to her shoulders, and il
am not mistaken, l can trace the clue
pretty clearly. l do not think 1t is
cleveriy done. 1t proves too much"
Mr.. Grey shrugged his shoulders.
"These are plain facts; it will be
for the counsel for tthe defence to
make what he can out of them"
'But to have this sensitive girl car
ried off to a police station would be
the death of her,"
People that are not too sensitive to
commit crimes should not be too sen.
sitive to endure punishment for
them"
Here the door opened and Luke
Abershaw, who had not been in the
room when the box was opened en-
tered.
But can there not be q little de-
lay:" urged the doctor; "a few hours.
Let her be carefully watched. SO as to
preclude all possibility Of escape"
I'VE have no power to detain her
without the warrant of law" answer
ed Mr.. Grey.
"My dear, sir, one would think you
were dealing with some artful rogue
who would take advantage of the po-
sition. Why, this girl may not recov-
err consciousness for some hours, or
may lapse into delirium or brain fever.
The coroner will sit tomorrow; let lis
wait for that
"Well, doctor, ut your request.
though against my own Judgment,
will not move in the matter until after
4 O'clock"
Upon this promise DR.. Grant de.
parted.
HAS anything been discovered in
that" inquired Luke, pointing to the
box.
He had been listening outside the
door to oil that had passed. -
Eyes; DIR. Grant says that one Of
those bottles contains sclie of the
drug that lie believes caused Mr.. Med.
licott's DEATH"
"And 1t was found in that vile girls
room. What horrible depravity OF
course you will at once call on the
police%
Not until after DIR. Grants return"
"Then, sir, I think yon are very
cruel to the memory of our poor, deaf
dead and gone friend" cried Luke
vehemently. ito allow murderess to
he at large"
II should advise you, Mr.. Aber
shaw, to be little more careful iu
your expressions. Every one is limo
cent in the eyes of the law until prov
en- guilty. I will take this response
bility upon myself"
The secretary cast quick, furtivs
glance from beneath his heavy brows
Inn