Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-07

a short time. Now this fact appears to nave
been well-known to himself, to the members
Of his household, and probably to most Oh
his friends. Nevertheless. he was found
dead in circumstances which point strongly
to wilful murder. II he was actually muir
dered. the assassin, whoever he was. had
some very strong incentive in killing him
at once, because he might we'll have waited
another few months for the fatal teTmina-
ton of the disease. That fact, however. is
not for you to considered, gentlemen. You
are here for the sole purpose of deciding
whether or not this case is one OF murder.
II, in your opinion, 1t is, then it becomes
your duty to return a verdict to that effect
and leave it to the police to discover the
assassin. To m at length on the
many mysterious circumstances surround
ing the tragedy is, l think, needless. The
dispositions l have just read are sufficiently
full and explanatory, especially the evil
dence Of Sir Bernard Eyton and Of Doctor
Boyd, both of whom, besides being we'll
known in the profession, were personal
friends of the deceased. In considering your
verdict / would further beg Of you not to
heed any theories you may have read in the
newspapers, but adjudge the matter from
a fair and impartial standpoint. and give
your verdict as you honestly believe the
truth to be-
The dead silence which had prevailed dur
ing the coroner's address was at once bro
ken by the uneasy moving of the crowd. l
glanced across at E%thelwynn, and saw her
sitting immovable, breathless, statuesaue.
She watched the foreman of the Jury
whispering to two or three Of his colleagues
in the immediate vicinity. The twelve
| fradacpaan aancuIfo1 fOnothor In -, ,,a5o,
tone while the reporters at the table con-
versed audibly. They, too. were disap-
pointed at being unable to obtain any SEN
sational copy"
IF you wish to retire IN order to con-
slider your verdict, gentlemen, you are quite
at liberty to do So" remarked the coroner.
That is unnecessary replied the fore
man. I'VE are agreed unanimously
upon what?"
Our verdict is that the deceased was
wilfully murdered by some person or per-
sons unknown"
Very well, gentlemen. OF course in my
position I am not permitted to give you ad-
vice, but / think that you could have ar
rived at no other verdict. The police will
use every endeavor to discover the identity
of the assassin"
glanced at Ethelwynn and at that in
slant she turned her head and her eyes met
mine. She started quickly, her face
blanched to the lips, then she rose I'M
steadily and with the crowd went slowly
out.
Amber Jevons, who had been seated at
the opposite side of the room, got up and
rushed away; therefore / had no chance
to get a word with him. He had glanced
at me significantly and knew well what
passed through his mind. Like myself, he
was thinkinGNof that strange letter we had
found among the dead mans effects and
had agreed to destroy.
About 3 O'Clock that same night had
emerged from Sir Demands and was
s~trolling slowly round to my rooms. whor
my friends cherry voice sounded behind
me. He was on his way round to have 6
smoke with me, as usual, he explained
So we entered together and after had
turned up the light and brought out thu
=, drinks he flung himself into his habitua
chair and, stretching himself YEARLY, said
> THE affair becomes more mysteriou.
hourly"
+ How" I inquired quickly.
I've been down to Kew this afternoon,
/, was his rather ambiguous response. 81 hac
to go to my office directly after the inquest
but l returned at once"
"And what have you discovered? Any
thing fresh?"
Yes" he responded slowly. "a fresl
fact or two-facts that still increase tn
mystery"
What are they? Tell me-" l urged
4 mo, Ralph, old chap. When I am Ger
tain of their true importance I'll expIai
4 them to you. At present / desire to pur
sue my own methods until I arrive at
h clear conclusion"
This disinclination to tell me the trutl
was annoying. He had always been quilt
frank and open, explaining all his theorie
4 and showing to me any weak points in tn
circumstantial evidence. Yet suddenly, a
- 1t seemed to me, he had become filled wit
a strange mistrust. Why l could not cor
ceive.
But surely you can tell me the natur
:. Of your discOveriesf 70 l said. There nee
be no secrets between us in this affair"
# mo, Ralph. But I'm superstitious enoug
!, to believe that ill-luck follows a prematul
exposure Of ones plans" he said.
His excuse was a lame one-a very Ian
one. l smiled-in order to show him thl
l read through the transparent attempt
re mislead me.
ID Il might have refused to show you thl
ne letter OF ~Ethelwynn's," l protested. "Y,
our interests being mutual l handed It
in you"
lie And it is well that you did"
"WhyY'
he Because knowledge OF It has changed Il
no whole course OF my inquiries"
nd Changed them from one direction to al
in Otherr"