Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-08-06

But after parts of it had been submit /
ted to various tests no trace of poison |
Gus matter could be discovered.
returned to Basingstoke, arriving
half an hour before dinner. The feel
ING in my mind was that, though there |
was some reason, perhaps, to suspect |
Harry Kincaid of the crime there was
not a particle of evidence in the true
sense of the word.
told Edward Kincaid and his ia
ther the result of my journey and then
had consultation with the doctor
who had been asked to remain for din
ner His decision was that Mr.. ClavelI
had died from complete stoppage OF
the blain, but there was literally moth
ing to show what caused it, and there
had been nothing in Mr.. Clavells $
habits and mode of life at all likely to
produce mental paralysis.
Further conversation was prevented
by the necessity of dressing for dinner.
As we went through the hall we met
Harry,
Harry, I'm taking care of the doc
tor. Would you mind Mr. Somers
washing his hands in your room?
said Edward.
Not at all, drawled his cousin.
Il hope YOU won't mind, said Ed
ward. Everything is, of course, in a
beastly muddle, and, " he added when
we were alone, "you will have chance
to look around.
That was exactly what l wanted. l
went hastily around the room, but
found to my disappointment that
everything was carefully locked. Sud
denly my eye caught sight of his din
ner Jacket which was hanging up be-
hind the door. l remembered being
told that our friend from South Amer
lea only smoked cigars after dinner,
and it struck me he might have left
his case in his pocket
A search in the pocket proved was
right and the next moment ! had IN
my hand an elegant little silver case
containing seven cigars l tumbled
them out on the toilet and examined
them. As far as I could make out
they were exactly like the one | had
taken up to town. Suddenly hand
was on the door.
Would you mind my coming IN?
said voice. Il Just want to change
my Jacket
He spoke with his usual drawl, but
I thought there was jnst a shade OF
anxiety in his voice.
Certainly" I said, putting the
cigars back and keeping up running
fire of talk all the time.
you are not going to dress, are
you?' said.
ooh, no; but l hate these frock
coats-a dinner jacket Is much more
comfortable.
! was washing my hands, and
stood in front of the mirror so that |
could watch him. I noticed that as
soon as he had changed his coat he
opened his case and, as well as | could
Judge from the expression on his face,
counted them.
Ibegan to feel profoundly interested,
and determined to watch Mr.. Harry
and his cigars closely. Dinner was
rather a dull affair There were no
ladies present and everybody was nat
uralIy depressed by the awful occur
renee of the previous night As soon
as the desert was put on we began to
smoke, and I was on the lockout for
the appearance of the silver case.
1t was soon produced and handed to
his right-hand neighbor, who, however,
declined it, preferring to smoke a Gig
Arette. A little satirical smile fitted
across Harry Kincaid's face He Sc
lected one for himself and lighted it.
The conversation became general and
little brighter The wine was passed
around the table Hospitality, and all
began to look as if they were prepared
to meet the troubles of the world with
sheerful resignation.
Suddenly Harry hlncald gave
loud groan and staggered to his feet
Good Heavens Help Bran
dyl"
Before anyone could move he
snatched his cigar case out ofhis pocket
and hurled it across the room toward
the fire. It struck glass apergne in
the center Of the table and broke it.
Then he fell to the ground, struggling
madly, with the most horrible express
sion of fear and malice on his face l
ever saw. In his fall he seized the
table cloth and dragged nearly every
thing off the table. We all sprang to