The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-25
(Chapter III. }
A MYSTERY.

''Great heavens! !" gasped Beck. recog-
nizing the GOLD, drawn features by the
light of the match he struck. 1T is, in
deed, Dudley Run back to the house
and get assistance quickly. I'll remain
here. Life may not be extinct after all,
poor fellow
cat this suggestion Isprang up, and
dashing away along the drive, entered
the drawing room from the. lawn.
"Why, Godfrey p cried Mrs. Laing,
starting up quickly from cosy corner
wherein she had settled to read. What
has happened? You look scared"
"a very painful thing.has occurred"
a calm demeanor. eve have found poor
Dudley lying in the drive, yonder, dead. y
''Dead!'' she screamed Historically.
dudley dead?" Il
Eyes, alas p replied. "Beck is with
him awaiting assistance"
''I-I can't believe it, she cried,
clutching at a chair for support. Her
hands trembled violently. "Poor Dudley !!
II he is dead it is certain that he has been
the victim Of foul play" she added me-
chemically, in low tone. Then suddenly
recovering herself, she inquired the cir
cumstances in which we had found him.
81 will explain that later" cried, I'M
patiently, May ring for the servants?"
NO. SQ6 Cflbu, 6D1TblLS lOIW eiI0 WluiA
strange wild look. Return to him, and
leave ali to me- For the present the truth
must be kept from Ella. There are reas-
ons why my daughter should not know
of this tragic affair until tomorrow. AS
you are awars, she Is weak and unstrung
tonight, and has already gone to her
room. fear that any sudden shock may
prove extremely detrimental to her, and
/ therefore trust you will respect my
wishes. -
Certainly" answered. But we are
not yet convinced that life is extinct, SO
while you arrange for his removal here,
I'll 90 at once for Doctor
eyes, do. DR.. Allenby is nearest. The
first house over the bridge" she replied
hastily, and as she rang the bell l sprang
out again upon the moonllt lawn and
rushed away along the drive.
Beck was still kneeling beside the pros
trate man, supporting his head upon his
knee, and approaching l asked whether
he had detected any signs of respiration.
"None whatever" he cried. I'm
afraid, poor fellow, he has gone"
Briefly I explained my errand and
rushed off for medical assistance, return
ing to the Nook with the grey haired prac-
titioner quarter of an hour later. We
found Dudley lying on the large yellow
silk couch that stood in the drawing
room, with Beck and Mrs. Laing stand
ing calmly on either side. In Mrs.
Laing's eyes were traces Of tears. The
doctor, after brief examination, shook
his head gravely, saying
life has unfortunately been extinct for
fully an hour"
"What is the cause of death?" in
quirsd Mrs. Laing eagerly.
sI have not yet examined the body, but
there are no marks of violence whatever
as far as can observe. At the post-mor-
ten, we may be able to discover some
thing"
She drew deep breath. CHANGED at
that moment to glance at her and was
surprised to observe an unmistakable
look of terror fit for brief instant across
her haggard countenance. 1t seemed as
though the Doctors hope of determining
the cause of death..h aroused within her
sudden apprehension. DR.. Allenby,
however, suggested in polite terms that
she should leave the room, as he desired
to examine the body, and she reluctantly
consented, exclaiming as she moved
slowly out
81 would have given worlds to have
avoided all this. Ones name will be
bruited about in the papers; and there
will be an inquest, I suppose, and all
that sort of thing. And dear Ella
what terrible blow it will be to her T.
Then, when the door had closed, while
who only an hour before, had been so full
of life's enjoyment, buoyant spirits and
bonhommie. surprised at Mrs. Laing's ex-
traordinary manner, and rejecting upon
her sudden strange demeanor the doctor.
assisted by Beck, began minute and
careful examination. In a quarter OF an
hour, they satisfied themselves that no
violence had been used, ana Jas1 as they
concluded, the police, who had been sent
for, arrived. The local subdivision in
spector, tall, red faced and inclined to
obesity, plain clothes constable, and
sergeant in uniform who entered the
drawing room were at once informed OF
the mysterious circumstances in which
the body had been discovered. The in
spector scrubbed some brief notes, took
the names and addresses OF all OF us, re-
marking with politeness that we should
be compelled to attend the inquest.
Afterwards, the body was removed to
the billiardroom and the plain clothes
constable left in charge of it, while with
Beck and DR.. Allenby / entered the din
ing room where Mrs. Laing pale, agitated
and nervous was eagerly awaiting us.
The arrival of the police in her house had
apparently filed her with dread, for al
most the first question she asked me
was
"Hsve they gone? Have they gomez"
"They have left one officer on duty to
prevent the body being touched" an
swered.
"Then the police are absolutely in pos
session of my house Will they search
itp'' she inquired, hoarsely.
"Search it Certainly not" Unanswered.
cot course, if fonl play were suspected
they might. Otherwise they have no
power without search warrant properly
signed bySa magistrate"
HBut no violence is suspected" she
exclaimed in a half whisper, glancing
over to where the doctor and Beck were
standing in earnest conversation. There.
fore / shall be spared the indignity Of
having ray houae searched, shan't 1P''
II trust so, Mrs. Laing," l replied
"But it is not such dreadful ordeal after
all to have ones place rummaged.
"No, perhaps not she answered
thoughtfully, then; smiling she added,
perhaps l am foolish to regret that this
terrible affair has occurred at my very
door. Poor Dudley has died suddenly,
and it is only right that [, his intimate
(. lend, should do what 1 can to ensure the
last rite being carried out in decenoy.