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

CnG uTOppeU III u Jtb OJ fOttU HDSICTtU.
ie poison itself might be in bottle
rongly labeled. Twas therefore remov-
zig the shoppers to test the contents
hen a door at the farther end of the
oom softly opened and woman enter
4. Seeing me, but not recognizing me
scause of the semidarkness, and evil
emily mistaking me for some one else,
ie whispered:
Joel Joel Be CAREFUL They've
fought dootorp And then she swiftly
tided out through the door again.
"Who was Joe? And was this a
'arning which this woman was giving?
gho was she. and why did she wish to
sarn Joe against the doctor? Evidently
aese were pertinent questions which
tust be answered.
~ failed to find trace of the poison
1r which l sought, and felt slightly
Allied, though the mysterious entry of
ne woman and her strange words only
iade me more than ever certain that !
sas in the presence of crime. Turning
.om the medicine cabinet / noticed a
nrious old box. the lid of which was
Aised, so that could see that it was
sed to hold cigars, of which there were
goodly number. Being fond of the
reed myself and something of judge
Af tobacco, stepped to the table and
box up one of the cigars, which was
assing under my nose to note the
roma when the door from the bedroom
pened and the valet, Lindley, appear
d. He seemed little startled to see
1e, or else / misconstrued his action,
ut there was q little nervous tremor in
is voice when he spoke, though that
nay have been due to the suddenness
With which he had found himself in my
resence. What he said was:
:" / have brought you the medicine,
loctor. Then, handing me the parcel,
10 added; Did you wish cigar. siri
The master has some fine ones which he
las imported specially from Havana.
those, waving his hand deprecatingly
oward the box in front of me, are only
ONE common things that / smoke my
elf.
"This / could readily believe, and, as
had no desire to smoke a cheap grade
,igar, dropped the one which 1 held
iack into the box and went again to my
remarking as passed the valet: ;
If Mr.. Milton is not better tonight,
shall stay with him, and in that case
may accept one of those imported
Iavanas.
81 found Mr.. Milton still in stupor,
md, as far as could judge, neither inn
sroved nor worse. / administered sec
nd dose of the morphia, and then es-
aged a little conversation with the
'alet in the hope of getting some ad-
mission from him which would impli-
ate him in the plot which / had scent
d. Turning to him, therefore, when he
eemed unprepared for questioning, !
sked suddenly;
+" What Is your name, my manP
'Lindley, sir, Robert Lindley.' He
nswered readily enough and with APP
aren't truthfulness, for he could not
uess that had hoped to hear him say
nat his name was Joe.
"'What do you think is your mas
sr's trouble?' asked next.
I "'Well, sir, said he, it's mystery.
don't feel at liberty to talk about Il,
nless-unless- Did the mistress tell
au about Here he paused, as though,
Ike good servant, he hesitated to re-
sal family secrets.
"About your masters thieving pro-
ensities? said I. 'Oh, yes, have been
lily informed, but would like your
Jews. You are his confidential servant,
1d your opinion will be valuable-nay,
may say invaluable-to me in deter
lining the true condition.
"'Well. sir, said he, Il wouldn't
Ike to say that Mr.. Milton is thief,
r, because he isn't that sort of man
1d don { need to steal besides. But he's
hanged good deal since his wife died,
nd if his mind is trifle off, sir, why,
nat might account for everything.
'Kleptomaniaf' / suggested.
"'I believe that's the word, sir, said
Q. 'Leastwise that's what Mr.. Joseph
Ills it.
Joseph! Then there was a Joseph
Joe in the house