The citizen., 1897-06-11

lllSdlS IcCOTulIlS IHe ueuIn OF Slr Doug
las Renwood.
| had to wait some time at the phy-
sician's house. as he had numerous con
sultations in progress. After an hour
of terrible anticipation in the dull wait
ing-room, was at length ushered into
the doctors presence.
DR. Holmes" said. II 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 Renwood. 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
man of eccentric habits, as he refuses
to have any servants i'll his house."
The suspicion which had been dark
ening in my mind grew darker as he
spoke these words. In moment had
risen from the chair, and, walking
quickly to the doctors side, 1 said:
doctor, there has been some foul
play in this business. Sir Douglas Rem
wood lies dead and 1 have just seen a
certificate of his decease bearing your
name at the foot"
The doctor looked astonished.
"Then it is forgery" he cried. 81
have never signed a certificate of this
mans death. More than that, 1 did not
know even that he was ill.,"
1 thought for moment and then
said:
sour way is clear. We must go at
once to the police station and get
warrant for the arrest of the man who
produced that certificate as coming
from you. That man is Mark Rem
wood, Sir Douglas nephew and-heir."
The doctor gave me a quick glance.
"His heir, Ell? he said. "Come. per-
haps we are on the brink of 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, a couple OF
plain-clothed policemen and myself en-
tered the cottage. Bidding the two men
to be close at hand in case of need the
doctor and 1 went straight upstairs in
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 the
illegal friend" on whom he fancied
had gone to call. for he held out his hand
with smile.
"Any friend Of yours, Mr.. Geary,"
| he said, "is welcome here. Introduce
me, please"
Wondering whether he was merely
playing part or was sincere, form
ally introduced the two men,.
"Dr. Holmes-Mark Renwood."
A terrible change came over Rem
woods face and he clung to the table for
support. He tried to speak, but words
failed him. The look on his features
told what I had already guessed.
There was no time for idle thought or
conjecture. 1 touched the bell and the
two constables appeared in moment.
81 give this man in custody" l said,
in a loud voice, "for uttering forged
death certificate. Whether a further
charge, and a more serious one. will be
added, remains to be seen."
Renwood uttered not word. With a
white, scared look, he suffered himself
to be led from the house, and thence
into conveyance. Our way lay in the
direction of the police station.
A coroner's inquest was held on the
body of Sir Douglas Renwood, and the
verdict of the jury, following on the doc
tors post mortem examination, was
"Willful murder against Mark Rem
wood"
He was accordingly committed for
trial at the next assizes.
The incident which served to convict
him was the forged certificate. He could
assign no reason for the forgery, and
therefore the jury had no option but to
conclude that the man who had admin
istered to the deceased the subtle poison
which caused his death was his nephew
the man who stood in the dock.
Sentence was passed accordingly. and
on the night before his execution he
sent for the chaplain and made full
confession.
81 killed my uncle by means of drug
which natives use in certain parts oi
India for medical purposes, and which
leaves the features calm and composed
after death. My uncle was about tc
marry, and, in the event of his doing so
and having issue, knew that my
chance of great estate was gone. So
brought him down to Staines, and KEEP
him under lock and key in the cottage
How did discover the forgery? B.
the fact that knew DR.. Holmes hand
writing, and detected the difference
Not bit of it. The doctors handwrit
ing was as unknown to me as the frs
Pharaoh. No. 1t was simply on ac
count of the fact that the death certifi
cate bore the cause of death, "inflama
ton" being spelled with one IN"
In the letter from Mark Renwoo
with which this history begins the wor'
occurred with the letter omitted, ant
it struck me as being very curious tha
two men should make a mistake owe
the same word. So curious was this ap
= a =.