The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-24

moved the handkerchief which had been
laid upon his face. She satisfied herself
that he was dead by exactly the same
means, that DIR. Bell had employed, end
apparently with the same technical skill.
"What was the cause OF death" she
asked, turning to Bell and Robertson,
who stood side by side.
1t was evident that she knew at glance
that they were physicians.
"You should be able TO answer that
question, said the coroner. "You seem
10 have had medical training"
81 have" she replied. "My father was
a physician and / studied with him for
years. But do not see any indication
here. IL he has been murdered, the poi.
son is one with which j am not familiar.
at is a new poison" said Prebie,
striking in. 81 will show you descrip-
tion OF 1t presently, for have sent for a
paper containing IL. ~
The girl seemed to be bewildered under
our eyes. We all stared at her, and for
myself will admit that her confession
of a medical training had removed my
prejudice in her favor. / believed that
She had learned the nature of her uncle's
will, and had sent the poisoned stamp.
"You show no grief, said the coroner,
as il the words came without his voll-
| tion.
"Why should I?', she replied. "I am
| mis- brothers. child. lie has permitted
my mother and me to suffer destitution.
Repeatedly l have"
HPardon me-" said Preble, Interrupt
ing, "but time is precious. Why are you
here?"
"I am conducting the investigation OF
your uncle's death"
"Very WELL" she said; 81 will answer
you.
She opened a well-worn purse, and
drew from it scrap OF paper, which she
gave TO the detective. 1t was clipping
fom a newspaTe Preble started when he
saw it, was near enough TO look over
his shoulder, and my curiosity compelled
me TO do IL.
The first word ] saw on the paper was
gelothania. The clipping contained the
principal part of the description of that
poison.
MY mind was made up. The girl was
mad | expected that her next words
would be maniacal boasting of her crime.
Preble turned from me- and i could not
see what he was doing, but he seemed to
be examining the clipping.
| Just then there was knock upon the
door. and the policeman admitted man
whom j recognized by his demeanor as a
mem ber of "the force, though he was in
plain clothes.
"Here is the newspaper you wanted, !"
he said, handing 1t to Preble.
The detective examined 1t.
~ promised to show you description
OF that poison" he said. "This Is the
paper which contained 1t, but unforu-
nately it has been cut out"
"What is all this?n exclaimed the cor
oner. "Mr. Preble, 1 am becoming ut
terly confused"
| coroner.
"Be careful of it," he said. sit will
| be essential In the case"
The coroner looked at 1t.
al don't see anything but some adver-
| tisements OF work for women" he said.
"One of them is marked.
"Turn II over" said Preble.
Dr. Robertson did SO, and he positively
| gasped with astonishment.
"Gentlemen, said Preble, 81 want to
ask you question. What does man
| do about ten seconds before he licks a
postage stamp?"
We stared at one another, unable to
understand what he meant.
"The article says" continued the de-
tective, "that this poison works in about
ten seconds. 1t produces no painful
effect at first; indeed, to the best OF my
| knowledge, Ii is not perceived except by
reason OF its taste, which is agreeable.
But at the end OF that interval the victim
| dies.
"Now you are firmly persuaded that
| that postage postage stamp killed Mr..
Brand, because it was found upon his
| tongue. But isn't that evidence that 1t
| did not kill him? Does a man hold a
stamp IN his mouth ten seconds? Ger
| tainly not.
"Imagine yourselves in his position.
He has finished his letter, and directed
| the envelope. He seals the envelope, and
about ten seconds later he vets the stamp.
In view OF these facts ! say ii was the
envelope that killed him, and not the
stamp"
There was silence for moment. Then
| the coroner said:
"Your reasoning seems good, Mr..