Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-08-07

ed TO me- II may make bold to say -
that Mr.. John was In better spirit
than usual"
Il thought 50. too" said Morrow
I'VE talked awhile OF ordinary topics
I didn't notice that Jack was depress
ed. He seemed quite like his old self
We sat together for half an hour, anC
then he came up here to bed"
docs anybody know" | asked, why
he opened thisT'
pointed 10 an ebony box containing
some papers II was open, and a small
bunch OF keys hung in the lock.
as there any indication that he de
stroyed anythingT' | continued.
Not that know Of" answered Nor.
row.
There was a moments silence.
at may be. sir, that the poison was
In there" suggested Thomas. He
wouldn't have kept II lying round the
room, SIR, and where else should he
have been likely to put itr'
THAT is probably the explanation"
said /. IL wish I'd thought of II before.
When he confessed TO me that he had
taken this bottle from my Office tried
to find it. You will readily understand
why, Mr.. Halstead."
II understand that you have been
criminally negligent" he retorted.
"And let me tell you now that am
done with you"
He turned to Arthur and in his char
acteristlc, impulsive, headlong way
went on:
"You were never favorite with me,
Arthur, but you're all I've got now.
You're the only one bound to me by any
tie. Dora Melvin shall have something,
with a condition" He glanced fiercely
at me. And you'll have the balance,
Arthur Much good may 1t do your
mo money will do any one good that
comes in this way" replied Morrow.
with shudder.
Thomas" said |, addressing the but
Ter, you let Mr. John Halstead In last
night. Did he have anything in his
hand:"
mo, sir" he replied.
mot this, for instancer said l, lay
ing my hand upon a small package that
was on the mantelpece.
mo, SIR" said Thomas. "He brought
that in day before yesterday. You re-
member it, Mr.. Morrow" he continued.
He took it into the library where you
were writing"
II had forgotten It," answered Nor
row. Are you sure, Thomas"
This is serious matter" said l, lay
ing my hand on the buffers shoulder.
DO not commit the folly Of beginning
the affair with falsehood."
Il don't know why should lie about
1t, Sir" he replied doggedly.
You saw him take this parcel into
the library" l continued. "By the way,
does anybody know what's in it?'
My uncle interrupted to ask angrily
what all this was about.
Grant me two minutes" said l. And
then repeated my question.
There was no reply.
Thomas" said l. what did young
MIR. Halstead do with this parcel after
ne took 1t into the library"
i saw him unite the string" he an
swered. Then he took up a pen from
the table, but didn't see him write
Did he write anything I'm the library
asst EVENING"" l asked, turning to Nor.
'ow, who answered me in the negative
Are you sure" l insisted. "You
we're there all the time that he was !
present"
Yes" was the answer "He didn't
write anything while was there.
Why do you asky
Because this message on the card ,s
written with the Ink that is used in the
library and not with Jacks stylo.
'raphlc pen. There is no ink In this
Dom that can see."
what Is the purpose Of these oues-
lons? demanded Mr.. Halstead.
without answering him l took up
he parcel and removed the wranner
mere was u dainty box within. and
pom opening that discovered a small
iaque, beautifully painted. The de-
Ign was In lilies Of the valley, which
'ere Dora's favorite flower.
Unless l am greatly in error" said
this farewell message on the card
as intended to be put into this box.
was parting gift to Dora"
Its purpose is obvious" said Mr.
Ialstead. ut lay upon this table. and '
lis bottle of poison was on top of it
was his last word, poor fellow"
but why did he buy the plaque?" l
sister. Was 1t for you? For me7
or ArthurY
For her, Of course" said Mr. Hal.
cad
linen why did not the gift and the
essage go together" said I. ,
NO one ventured reply.
i Will tell you why" l continued
mis- card was put into the parcel and .
Us taken out again, but not by Jack"
by whom, then" asked my uncle.
ny some one who knew of its ex,s+.
&c and perceived that it would an.
,er quite well the purposes of suI. G
les last message" q
Mr.. Halstead caught me by the sbou,. T
r.
DO you mean to charge actual muir =
rT' he cried. "Will you try to shift O
ur own guilt upon another?" .
l charge willful and deliberate :,
lrder," l replied. I
by whomT' he screamed. d
Let us see," l responded. "He must p
We swallowed this poison just before
ring If he did not take it himself II
THIS room he must have done so else. t,
lere in this house. He drank q glass b
Wine in the library" G,
ana You brought it to him? ~ cried =,
;. HalStead, turning unop Tho ~