The National tribune., 1896-05-07


and during that time had heard no news oi
Clement, whom had known previous TO my
departure from England as a student at st.
Bartholomew's. Now / found him a full
fledged practitioner, comfortably settled in
fashionable quarter of the West End, mar
ried TO a very pretty wife, and evidently
prosperous in all his concerns. We had
been very friendly in our student days, and
j was not sorry to revive the old friendship.
day or two after our first meeting Clement
dined with me at my club. A week later
found me dining at his house in Harley
street. 1t was on the latter occasion that
be told me the remarkable story which /
am about to set down.
Wewere together in Holford's study when
he told me the story. 1t was late, and we
were smOkipg<our cigars previous TO my re-
firing. Mrs. Holford had already left us,
and Clement and j were exchanging and
comparing notes of our various adventures
during the previous 10 years. While we
talked i was noting the contents of my
friends sanctum. in which were displayed
various odds and ends of medical and sclen-
tific curiosities.
One object attracted my special attention.
1t was square cabinet or small cupboard
faced with glass, aud containing three shelves.
On The top and middles shelves were arranged
number of books of more or less out-of-
the-way appearance, some in French, some
IN Italian, some in Spanish, but all dealing
with one sukject-toxicology On the bot
tom shelf stood square glass case. evidently
hermetcally sealed, and in it lay single
object-a white kid glove. The cabinet was
securely locked, and its general appearance
seemed TO suggest that lis doors were never
opened and had remained shut Tor some con-
siderable length Of time.
is there some history attached 10 this
cupboard, Holford 2" l inquired, tapping the
glass doors lightly with my fingers And
If not, what is the meaning of the white kid
glove reposing in the glass case? Is it some
l0ve-token, and if it is, why does it lie in
company with a collection of works on
poison?"
Holford shook his head and looked grave
There is history attached TO the thing"
said be, sand very gruesome history it is.
There must be something of the fantastic
in my nature, or i should never keep that
cabinet. My wife has begged me to burn it,
books, glove and all its contents, many a
time.n .-.-------'
And why don't you ?"
/ don't know-unless it is that j am not
free from the feeling which makes thousands
visit the chamber of horrors at the waxwork
show"
All, then, I take it that these things have
some connection with some crime or dreadful
deed?"
you are right-they have"
=" should like 10 hear the story, now that
you have aroused my curiosity. Is it too
long to tell within half an hour?"
1t is not a very long story" he answered.
But it is very uncanny one. However,
you shall have il. Light another cigar and
draw up TO the fire, and | will endeayor to
recollect all the details Of the history con-
nected with the csntents of the cupboard"
This is the story he proceeded to tell me
1T is now nine years ago since set up
in practice My first venture was made in
another part of London-Highbury- it
was in partnership with Ferdinand Montero,
who was introduced to me by old Prof Will
liams OF ST. PerpHtua's Hospital. Montero
was half-English, half-Mexican, fine, high-
spirited fellow of my own age: brilliant,
clever, and full of all the subtlety and re-
source which resulted in the mixture of
English and Mexican blood. He and got
on excellently from the fret; our aims and
ambitions were similar, and we were both full
of enthusiasm for our profession. We bought
an old-established practice in the neighbor-
hood of Highbury and did well. Our patients
were of a solid, highly respectable class
city people, who never allowed their accounts
TO lie Oh the table unpaid. So far as business
was concerned we had no cause for complaint
or anxiety.
Nor for the first year Of our partnership
had we any reason 10 be dissatisfied with our
relations as co-partners. We lived together,
and carried our friendship TO degree of
brotherhood. There was never difference
between us even on minor points. ] grew
to be very fond Of Ferdinand Monlero. lie
was always full Of good spirits, aud was the
most brilliant tconversationalist / ever knew.
Wherever he went he was a favorite, and
at that lime we went out good deal into
society. Montero was q handsome man
tai, dark, even TO swarthness, with the
flashing eyes of his Mexican father and the
grace of movement that had come down to
him from the Spanish strain in his blood
de had many accomplishments and would
have made his fortune as musician if he
had not been a doctor / felt myself very
much in the shade whenever ! went any
where with him, for his brilliant conversa-
ton, handsome features, and musical voice
monopolized the attention of everybody.
:" Fond as he was Of life and amusement,
Montero was hard-working student, and
read whenever he could snatch an hour or
two from night or day. He had one pet
ubject-:oxicology- got together
small collection OF rare works dealing with
il. He paid what / thought 20 be outrageous
amounts for some of these old books but one
or two OF them were almost unique and in
dispensable to him in the work he had in
hand, which was treatise dealing with the
history Of the secret poisoners. He labored
hard and constantly at this and accumu-
lated vast stores Of learning in relation TO it,
He did not expect TO publish his book for
many years, but he often spoke of the fame
it must eventually bring him, for it was to
be The book on the subject. Gradually got
TO share his enthusiasm, but never helped
him in his studies, for i was at that time
engaged heart and soul in my own treatise
on the treatment Of fever patients, and had
no time TO spare for loxicology. In fact,
cane to regard Mopteros work as of rather
fanciful nature, though took care never TO
say so TO him.
About IL months after the beginning of
our partnership we were called upon TO pre-
scribe for old Gen. Rexwortby, a retired
Indian officer who lived in Highbury New
Park, and IL WAS during our visits 10 the
General that we made the acquaintance of
his only daughter, Lillian. / need not say
nytlIng Of her in the way OF description
because had the pleasure OF Introducing
her 10 you this evening my wife. II was
case OF love ut first sight with me, and
before many weeks had passed, l had ar
rived at the conclnsion that life was not