Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-07-02


ing not to show any unusual interest by
my tone of voice. in which fear that |
signally failed.
Mr. Joseph Milton, sir--son Of my
masters dead brother. He lives with MS
from time to time, though the master
never likes to have him.
WHY? said l. Is he the black
sheep of the family?'
1t wouldn't be right, sir, for me
to call him that, said Lindley, with be-
coming Difference. But Mr.. Milton has
used those very words. 1t seems that
the young gentleman's father left his
brother as guardian to Mr.. Joseph, and
they've had many rows about money
matters.
II deemed it best not to pursue this
topic further, but decided to take good
look at this Mr.. Joseph, should we
meet, which did not occur until dinner
time. Throughout the meal found him
rather a pleasant conversationalist, and
in spite of my suspicious against him
and prejudice born Of my conversation
with the valet l was unconsciously
drawn toward him. In fact, before the
last course was served was compelled
to admit that liked him. Yet observ-
ed a constraint about Miss Milton
which decided me that she did not
share my kindly feelings toward her
handsome cousin, or, at least. so 1t
seemed to me. When the coffee and
cigars were brought Miss Milton left Us.
and had chance to continue my study
of Mr.. Joseph, and in short time my
temporary suspicious had been almost
lulled to rest, when was aroused again
to keen interest by his asking;
Doctor, have you given much at
tention to poisons? OF course, | know
you understand all about the drugs used
in treating diseases, but have you ever
thought about the poisons mentioned so
mysteriously in the old books of history
and romance-the poison of the Borgias,
for example, and other deadly drugs,
which were supposed to kill man and
leave no trace? / confess that the sub
ject has fascination for me and that l
have made quite a study of it. What
are your views?'
could it be possible after all that
this young scoundrel had been expert
menting upon his uncle, risking his
death as a possibility which would
place him in quicker possession of his
fathers fortune? And, If so, could he
be SO boldly audacious that, seeing me
in the house treating his victim, he in
PRODUCED this topic to disarm me of my
suspicious? / did not know what to
think.
However, it was an opportunity
worth improving, so | spoke to him of
various poisons, including the one
which / suspected had been administer
ed to Mr.. Milton, and without hesita-
ton he expressed himself openly, show
ing a degree of knowledge of the
peculiarly insidious working of the
drug which surpassed my own, finally
adding:
II suppose you know that large
doses Of opium prove reliable anti
dote?'
IT could not resist replying quickly:
That is what am administering
to your unole?'
81 watched him closely, but my
words did not appear to disturb him,
and either failing to comprehend my
meaning or else making such pretense
he answered:
"'Oh, yes. It's great drug in mani
aoal cases also. / suppose the old man
is clean daft, Ell? His kleptomania
proves that, don't you Think
"This ready tongue was too much for
me, and shortly afterward / made the
excuse that must return to my patient
and went up stairs puzzled, did not
know whether Mr.. Joseph was polish
ed villain or a scholarly gentleman, so
difficult is it at times to distinguish be-
tween veneer and solid wood.
''My return to the sick chamber al
lowed the valet opportunity to go below
for his dinner, and once more | was
alone with my patient. i found him
with better skin and pulse and was
reasonably sure that in few more
hours the morphia would overcome the
poison and restore him to consciousness.
Then a new idea occurred to me, and
going into the Wallets room distracted
two of his cheap cigars and placed them
in my pocket.
"At 9o'olocl found my patient still
improving, and calculating that the
crisis of returning consciousness could
not supervene before midnight l decided
to get some sleep, and leaving Lindley
to watch his master, with orders to call
me if needed, went to the room as
signed me for little rest.
II threw myself, fully dressed, upon
the bed and quickly slumbered. / had
no idea how long / had slept when /
was awakened by confused noise of
voices ard started up. Presently was
astonished to hear feminine voice,
which recognized. saying;
"'No, no, Joe You mustn't If any
body, if the doctor, was to see us to-
gether, what would he Think
This decided me, and as now
plainly made out that the voices came
from the hallway quickly went to my