Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-09
THE KLEPTOMANIAC.
CONTINUED from Third psge.)


cigars were brought Miss Milton left as.
and had a chance to continue my study
of Mr.. Joseph, and in = short time my
temporary suspicious had been almost
lulled to rest, when 1 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 a man and
leave no trace? confess that the sub
ject has a fascination for me and that /
have made quite a study Of it, What
are your viewsf'
Gould 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 be
be so boldly audacicus that, seeing me
in the house treating his victim, he in
troduced this topic to disarm me of my
suspicious? 1 did not know what to
1
think.
However it was an opportunity
worth improving, so / spoke 20 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
4 sol, ~
adding:
II suppose you know that large
doses of opium prove a reliable anti
dote?'
Il could not resist replying quickly:
THAT is what am administering
to your uncle?'
81 watched him closely, but my
words did not appear to disturb him,
and either falling to comprehend my
meaning or else making such pretense
he answered:
"'Oh, yes. It's great drug IN mani
acal cases also. suppose the old man
is clean daft, ehf His kleptomania
proves that. don't you think?'
"This ready tongue was too much for
: ne, 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, sc
difficult is IL 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 wa
alone with my patient. / found hin
with a better skin and pulse and wa
reasonably sure that in a few mor'
hours the morphie would overcome th'
poison and restore him to consciousness
Then q new idea occurred to me. anC
going into the Wallets room / abstractet
two of his cheap cigars and placed then
in my pocket.
"At o O'Clock found my patient still
improving, and calculating that tn
crisis of returning consciousness coul,
not supervene before midnight decides
to get some sleep, and leaving Indie
to watch his master. with orders to cal
me il needed, went TO the room as
signed me for little rest.
81 threw myself. fully dressed, upo
the bed and quickly slum bered. ha
no idea how long had slept when
was awakened by confused noise G
voices and started mp. Presently wa
astonished to hear a feminine voice
which recognized. saying:
NO, no. Joel You mustn't If any
body, if the doctor. was to see as t.
gether, what would he thinkr
This decided me. and as I no.
plainly made out that the voices can
from the hallway quickly went to m
door, which opened and looked out
saw in the dim light man and a won
an struggling together. but they hear
: my door open and separated. The ma
r. went rapidly toward the stairway, dow
is which he disappeared, but as he passe
re the hall light l readily assured myse
IN that it was Mr.. Joseph Milton. I'll
d woman darted into a room nearly opp
I site mine. and without waiting to tho
. oughly consider the consequences of n
~ act FASTENED after her. Ny hand turl
Ia ed the knob just in time to prevent h
be from locking me out. AS it was, 81
I'D shot the bolt just as opened the doc
ar but too late to prevent my entranc
ne Passing through closed and bolted Il
30 door behind me, and then confronted
"a young woman, rather pretty in the ha
q light from a shaded lamp, who sto,
90 like an animal at bay, with bose
a. heaving, lips compressed and han
of clasped nervously together.
Feeling that had the best Of 4
ct situation and that the clew to the my
en- terry was about to be revealed to me
n, simply waited in silence, gazing at b
Ct intently. until finally in desperatio
ed her voice trembling with fear aud a
,h ger, she cried:
in What do you want?'
Forty thousand dollars, said
u Sternly.
% my words were evidently most q
~ expected, for they had a magical effe
"a upon her.
It. Throwing up her arms she cri
ed ont, i know nothing about itP al
nd then crossed to the bed, where she dro
lst ned in a fit of wild hysteria / wait