The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-09-21

| that there was n woman In the case
Some one, perhaps, who was jealous
OF Miss Doughty.
! knew many OF his friends, and
made careful inquiries, but could find
no reason TO suspect any one Of con
spring against him.
One curious fact was licited. Hum
phrcy had left west end club at $40
o'clock on August =. He drove TO
Hampstead In cab, and arrived at
the links late. If that was the case,
how could ne have posted the pack
age at 1852
II was an odd discrepancy, but not
by any means sufficient TO clear him.
A cunning man might have arranged
things 80.
obtained I. photo'-ap Of the label,
and distributed copies among his
| friends.
But accident suggested curious
possibility. A friend Of mine was In
terested In benefit" which was be-
Ing organized for an actor. He called
TO let me know how II was progress
ing.
81 have had such bit Of luck" he
said. 81 wrote to Lady Epworth.
When she was on the stage she was
perhaps she might fork out "A flyer.
However, to my surprise the old
screw has sent five and twenty pounds.
Here's her letter"
While reading her letter | noticed
that there was, at any rate, some re
semblance between her writing and
that on the label 1t seemed To me
that the writing on the label was
about midway between that Of Lady
Epworth and Dalton Humphrey. If
he had tried to initiate her hnndwrlt-
ing or she had tried to initiate his,
one could imagine that this would
| bc the result
submitted the three specimens to
nm expert.
| His report was unfavorablc.
In his opinion the address had not
been written by Lardy Epworth. He
was satisfied that the label was nd-
dressed by he pcrson-whoevcr he
was--who had written the third spcci-
men. That person was, of course, the
| accused.
Mcssrs. Pcrott and Monson told me
that they knew Lady Epworth by
sight, but had never seen her I'm the
shop, and l began To lose what little
confidence l had ever had In the cnsc
But not 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 MS obstinatcly silent
as ever, but | mentioned the discrcp-
ancy in the time Of posting, Instantly
his attention was aroused.
''Do you mean to say" he said bit
tcrly, that you don't take IT for
granted that l am gulltyw
81 don't take anything for granted" +"
| replied sharply. And If YOU would
only pull yourself together like a man
we might do some good"
What can | do" - said, coloring.
Answer n few questions. Whom
wv ltu SuNllNNl1
Nobody. II is that which bewil-
dcrs me-"
"What about your aunt? Would she
benefit by Lord Epworth's death"
indirectly she would" he said.
thoughtfully. "Whcn my uncle mar
rled he was wildly In love, and made
cxtravagant settlements"
but she has an annual allowanccT'
| said
Yes but she doesn't always get L.. -
he said, with smile, because Ep.
worth's affairs were in such pickle
But now that he is dead nobody could
prevent her stepping into large prop
crty."
What kind Of n woman is she7"
"a thoroughly bad lot" was the
prompt answer.
Docs she know your handwriting?'
asked.
Certainly. She has had letters from
me"
This gave us something TO work on
Further conversation brought 10 light
the fact that there lived with Lady
Epworth n Miss Denton, who seemed
To he half lady's maid. half companion
Humphrey said he believed she was {
probably sister. IL was
possible that. although Lady Epwortl
herself had never entered Perott an,
Menson's shop. her creature nigh
have done SO.
With some difficulty | procured ;
photograph Of this Miss Denton, and
placing II among n number of others
took IL TO Messrs. Pcrott and Men
son.
They picked Il out Immediately. TIL
, lady was regular customer. Sh
, purchased chloral They knew he
name, and she gave the address OF
, small shop in Lady Epworth's neigh
Dorhood.
Moreover. they had transmlttc
= through the post bottle OF chloral {
, the woman few days before Lor
I Epworth's death.
She or Lady Epworth had cvidCntl
: initiated Humphreys handwriting
/. | watched his movements and postc
!. the poison at time when suspicio
would inevitably fall on him.
. Having proceeded so far with Oh
case. now thought IL right 20 han
= it over TO his solicitors To complete I
MS had no wish TO pose rs detec
: I've.
$ Mr.. Bennett. instead of consr,tin
!, | tho noiice and taking stems 10 hay