The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-07-15

last long look on the features | knew
SO well.
was reused from my reflections bv
the entrance of young Renwood, who
came up to the bedside and pulled out
his cigar case, several papers dropping
from his pocket at the time.
Have cigar!" he said, rs stopped
to pick up the papers, and then, seeing
a shade of annoyance that could not
conceal cross my face at the thought
of smoking at such time and in such
place, he said, hastily: "Perhaps we'd
better not smoke, though; it's hardly
decent in room with death in it,"
His sudden glow of proper feeling did
not impress me and merely handed
him the papers he had dropped in si-
lcnce.
One of these he handed back to me.
"Youd betterlook at that, Mr.. Geary,"
he said, abruptly; that is DR.. Holmes
certificate cf DEATH"
| glanced at the document. Yes, it
was all in order "Douglas Kenneth
Renwood, aged 65,' and so on, but
Death" gave violent start
Good heavens!" | said to myself,
"can this be possibe-can this be DOS
sible2"
For something had seen in that GER
tificate had connected itself with some
thing | had seen in another document
that morning. and the sight of the two
things filled me with an awful sus-
pcion.
And | determined to act on that sus-
pcion and to act at once. Asking Ren-
wood to excuse me for half an hour,
as | wanted to call on ii legal friend,
who lived in town. | hurried away.
was going to call on DR.. Holmes,
hose name was at the foot Of the GER
titicate recording the death Of Sir Doug
las Renwood.
! had to wait some time at the ply
sician's house, as he had numerous con-
sultations in progress. After an hour
II terrible anticipation in the dull wait
ing-room, I was at length ushered into
the doctors presence.
"Dr. Holiness" said. u have not come
TO see you professionally. but rather to
| ask you one question:"
He seemed surprised but simply said:
Go on"
did you sign a certificate of death.
| through inflammation of the lungs, Of
Sir Douglas Eenwood. who now lies
dead at the place called - cottage?
He jumped up from his chair in
| amazement.
"My dear SIR" he cried, what on
earth are you talking about? l know
nothing whatever of Sir Douglas Rem
wood, except that he is reputed to be a
man of eccentric habits, us he refuses
to have any servants in his house.
The suspicion which had been dark
ening in my mind grew darker as he
spoke these words. In a moment had
risen from the chair. and, walking
quickly to the doctors side, said:
| doctor, there has been some foul
play in this business. Sir Douglas Rem
wood lies dead and have just seen a
certificate of his decease bearing youl
| name at the foot"
| i ne GOCIOf looked aSlOnlS0CN.
Then it is a forgery" he cried. 81
have never signed Il certificate of this
mans death. More than that. did not
know even that he was ILL.,"
thought for a moment and ther
said:
Our way is clear We must go at
once to the police station and get Z
warrant for the arrest of the man who
| produced that certificate as coming
from you. That man is Mark Ren
wood, Sir Douglas nephew and-heir.'
The doctor gave HE quick glance.
His heir, eh?" he said. Come. per
haps We are on the brink of a discov
cry. 1t seems to me that there is more
in this business than meets the eye"
thought so, too.
An hour later DR.. Holmes, couple O
pIain-clothed policemen and myself en-
tered the cottage. Bidding the two mel
to be close at hand in case of need tn,
doctor and | went straig ght upstairs il
search of Mark Renwood.
He did not seem in the least astound
ed at the appearance of the doctor. Evi
IDENTIFY he imagined that he was tn
legal friend" on whom he fancied
had gone to call, for he held out his hant
with a smile.
ANY friend of yours, Mr.. Geary
he said, 'is welcome here. Introduc
ME. please"
Wondering whether he was merel,
playing a part or was sincere, form
ally introduced the two men,.
"Dr. Holmcs--Mark Renwood."
A terrible change came over Ecn
woods face and he clunS to the table 70
support. He tried to speak, but word
failed him. The look on his feature
told what had already guessed.
There was no time for idle thought 0
conjecture. | touched the bell and tn
two constables appeared in a moment.
II give this man in custody" l snic
in a loud voice, for uttering a forge
death certificate. Whether a furt he
charge, and a more serious one, will
added, remains to be seen"
Renwood uttered not word. With
white, scared lcok, he suffered himseI
) to be led from the house, and theme