The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-10
The Great Label" Case

ana laQ taken one dose OUT OF II
It killed him. 1t was taken for granted
at first that his death was either the result
of accident, or a case Of suicide. But at
the inquest Messrs. Perott and Menson
positively denied having sent the bottle TO
Lord Epworth. 1t was certainly wrapped
up in their label, and packed in one or
their boxes. But they had not sent II
The label was, of course. examined Il
bore the postmark, Hampstead $40 P.
N. Z. s, 81
The cloral was analysed and pronounced
strong poison.
The question arose. who would benefit
by his death? He was married man,
but separated from his wife. She mad
been an actress in her youth, and had
a handsome allowance from her husband,
whom she had not seen for fifteen years.
Lord EpWorth's estate was immense.
The family property, which was OF great
value, would pass TO his nephew, Dalton
Humphrey a man who was well known
and very popular in society.
Further inquiries produced two start
ling revelations-the handwriting on the
label closely resembled Mr.. Humphrey $
but appeared 10 be disguised; also, Mr.
Humphrey had certainly purchased q bot
tie Of choral three days before his uncle's
death, and il had been sent TO him from
Messrs. Perott and MensOn's establish
ment by post.
In addition to this, Mr.. Humphrey was
known to have played golf at Hampstead
on August g. at about 8 o'clock IN the
afternoOn-the time the package was
posted.
He was. of course, arrested. He seemed
to be somewhat dazed when the warrant
was read to him but not exactly surprised,
and said: ''WeH, it served the brute
right
In the teeth Of such evidence. and what
sounded like an admission of guilt, it was
difficult for his best friends 20 believe
him innocent. But one person believed
in him, in spite Of all, although he seemed
not to believe in himself-the girl ne was
engaged to, Miss Edna Doughty.
Miss Doughty wanted my help Would
7 join hands with her in clearing Dalton
Humphrey?
At the bottom Of my heart firmly be-
lieved in the mans guilt.
Our first and greatest difficulty was the
prisoer himself He would answer no
questions and render no assistance.
I felt il was not quite fair to infer the
worst from this obstinacy. Il might not
arise from a consciousness of guilt.
I examined the evidence carefully.
The handwriting on the label certainly
resembled his, but not so exactly as to be
conclusive.
initiate it? Was it done out of malice?
Above all, was it possible that there was
woman in the case? Some one. perhaps,
who was jealous of Miss Doughty.
But one curious factwas ELECTED.
Humphrey had left a west end club at
$40 o'clock on August 8. He drove 70
Hampstead in a cab, and arrived at the
links late.
If that was the case, how could he
he a ora az
A friend of mine was interested in a
'beneft" which was being organized for
an old actor He called to let me know
how it was progressing. 81 have had such
a bit of luck" he said. 'I wrOteto Lady
Epworth. When she was on the stage she
was a pal of old Burrows. and I thought
perhaps she might fork out afiver How
ever, to my surprise, the old screw has
sent five-and-twenty pounds. Here's her
letter.
I submitted the three specimens TO an
expert His report was unfavorable. In
his opinion the address had not been writ
ten by Lady Epworth. He was satisfied
that the label was addressed by the per-
Son-wnoever he yss-who had written
the third specimen, That person was, Of
course, the accused. Mesnrs. Perott and
Menson told me that they knew Lady
in the shop. and ! began TO lose what
littIeconfdence had ever had in the case.
But mot so with Miss Doughty. She didn't
believe experts" nor in fact anybody
who had anything to say against Mr..
Humphrey and suggested we should try
another interview with him. At first he
was obstinately silent as ever, but / men
toned the discrepancy in the time Of post
ing Instantly his attention was aroused.
L, + -
that you don't take it for granted that
I am guilty?"
Ct don't take anything for granted" I
replied sharply. And If you would only
pull yourself together like a man We
might do some good
What can I do?" he said, coloring.
Answer few questions. Whom do
you suspect?"
Nobody, 1t is that which bewilders
me"
What about your aunt? Would she
benefit by Lord Epworth's death?'
Indirectly she would he said, thought
fully when my uncle married ne was
wildly in love. and made eXtravagant set
Elements"
But she has an anual allowance"
said.
yes, but she doesn't always get It."
he said, with a smile beuas &
q
affairs were in such a pickle. But now
that he is dead nobody could prevent her
stepping into a large property"
What kind OF a woman Is she?'
a thoroughly bad lot" was the prompt
answer.
Does she know your handwriting?' I
asked.
Certainly. She has had letters from
me"
This gave us something to work on
Further conversation brought 70 light the
fact that there lived with Lady Epworch
a Miss Denton. who seemed 10 be half
lady's maid, half companion.
With some difficulty ! procured a pho
tograph Of this Miss Denton, and, plsc-
ing it among a number of others, took
IL 20 8fessrs. Perott and Menson.
They picked il out Immediately. The
lady was q regular customer. She pur-
chased choral They knew her name.
and she gave the address Of small shop
in Lady Epworra's neighborhood. More
over, they had transmitted through the
post a bottle OF ChlCra. 20 the woman a
few DAYS before Lord Epvorth's death.
She or Lady EpwOr,a had evidently imi-
-ate6 Humphreys handwriting, watched
rs movements and posted TIE poison at
time when suspicion would inevitably
fal on him.
Having proceeded 50 far with The case,
I row thought Il RICH: 20 hand il over %
his solicitors 70 complete e. a. / mad 10
wish o. pose as & detective. II. Ben
rett. instead OF consulting the police and
taking steps 70 have The women arres. 81.
or al any TATE. watched Simply wrote 20
Lady Eovorth requesting Ter 20 cal
AZ his off.ce Evl5eu.g she and hes lady g
maj" took a.s-m. Tor The eject vas
start.luEly tragic
Mex morning London was electrified
TO learn that Lady Epw1r1l had oi=d BY
poisoning hv her own band. arl zsg &C.
compile bad 5Fsap1el-e1-
we had ~ difficulty IL obtaining Hum
peres's release az the next naRi-terial
4~-.-l--- ~Th7~a ~ however. ssh r-a