Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-08

that its action on the vasomotor system Of
the nerves was very similar, II not identi-
cal. with nitrate of amyl.
Further than that, even latham. expert
in ouch matters. could not proceed. Hours
Of hard work resulted in that conclusion,
and with 1t we were compelled to be
satisfied.
In due course the inquest was held at
shadwell, and, with Amber, l attended ss
a witness. The reporters, of course, ex-
pected a sensation; but, on the contrary,
our evidence went to show that, as the
poisonous substance was found in the
"quartern' bottle on deceased's table.
death was in all probability due to suicide.
some members of the jury took an oppo-
site view. Then the letters we had found
concealed were produced by the police, and,
Of course. created a certain amount Of in
terest. But to the readers Of newspapers
the poisoning of a c-ostermonger at Shad-
well is Of little interest as compared with
a similar catastrophe in the quarter OF
London vaguely known as the West End.
The letters we're suspicious, and both cor
oner and Jury accepted them as evidence
that Lape was engaged upon an elaborate
piece OF blackmail.
"Who is this Mary Courtenay. who writes
to him from Neneford?" inquired the eoro-
ner Of the Inspector.
well, sir" the latter responded. "ths
writer herself is dead. She was found
drowned a few days ago near her home I'm
der suspicious circumstances"
Then the reporters commenced to awake
to the fact that something extraordinary
was underlying the inquiry.
"Ah!" remarked the coroner, one OF the
most acute officials of his class. Then in
face OF this her letter seems to be more
than curious. For aught we know the
tragedy at Neneford may have been willful
murder. and we have now the suicide OF the
assassin"
That, sir, is the police theory replied
the inspector,
'Th police theory be hanged eiacu-
lated Amber, almost loud enough to be
heard. THE police know nothing OF the
case. and will never learn anything. II
the jury are content to accept such an
explanation. and brand poor Lane as a
murderer. they must be allowed to do So"
I knew Jevons held coroner's iuries in
ihe most supreme contempt; sometimes
rather unreasonably so, / thought.
We'll" the coroner said. this is GER
tainly remarkable evidence and he turned
the dead Woman's letter over In his hand.
1T is quite plain that the deceased APP
preached the lady ostensibly to give her
warning OF some danger, but really to
blaokmail her. For what reason does not
at present appear. He may have feared heI
threat 10 give information TO the police
hence his crime and subsequent suicide"
"Listenl" exclaimed Jevons I'm my ear
They are actually trying the dead mar
for a crime he could not possibly have
committed. They've got hold Of the wrong
end Of the stick as usual. why don't they
give a verdict Of suicide and have done
with II, We can't AFFORD TO waste a whole
day explaining theories to a set OF unedu.
Gated gentlemen OF the Whitechapel road
The English law is ridiculous where cor
oner's juries are concerned"
The coroner heard his whispering ant
looked oward US severely.
I'VE have not had SUFFICIENT time TO in
vestigate the whole Of the facts connected
with Mrs. c~ourtenay's mysterious death.
the inspector went on. you will probabll
rsoolleet. sir, a mystery down at Kew somI
little time ago. Il Wal fully reported Il