Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-09-19


the simplest possible message, Good
by, Dora"
The tears sprang to my eyes, but it
was necessary to control emotion in
this crisis. turned to DR.. Carr.
"There can be no doubt as to the
cause of death?" l asked.
He did not reply in words, but bent
forward and tapped the vial with his
| finger.
"Tell me how it happened" asked
'Who saw him last?"
1t was Thomas, the butler, who re-
piled. He seemed to have risen
through the floor at my elbow.
"He was out during the evening, sir"
! he said. eve don't know where he
was. 1t was near midnight when | let
him in. Mr. Morrow was writing in the
library, and Mr.. John went in there.
brought them a glass of wine. 1t seem
ed to me, if may make bold to say So
that Mr. John was in better spirits
| than usual"
81 thought so, too," said Morrow
eve 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, and
then he came up here to bed"
"Does anybody know" asked, why
he opened this?"
pointed to an ebony box containing
some papers 1t was open, and small
bunch Of keys hung in the lock.
SIS there any indication that he de-
stroyed anything?" continued.
"Not that know Of" answered Nor
row.
There was a moments silence.
''It may be, sir, that the poison was
in there" suggested Thomas. "He
wouldn't have kept it lying round the
room, sir, and where else should he
have been likely to put it?"
'"That is probably the explanation
said 1. 81 wish I'd thought of it 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."
Il understand that you have been
criminally negligent" he retorted.
"And let me tell you now that l am
done with YOU"
He turned to Arthur and in his char
acteristic, 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 condition. He glanced fercely
at me. ''And you'll have the balance,
Arthur Much good may it do your
mo money will do any one good that
comes in this way" replied Morrow,
with a shudder.
Thomas said I, addressing the but
Ter. ''you let Mr.. John Halstead in last
night. Did he have anything in his
hand?'
"No, SIR he replied.
'.Not this, for instance?" said 1, lay
ing my hand upon small package that
was on the mantelpiece.
''No, 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"
81 had forgotten it," answered Nor
row. care you sure, Thomas"
'This is serious matter" said I, lay
ing my hand on the buffers shoulder
"Do not commit the folly of beginning
the affair with 9 falsehood."
81 don't know why should lie about
it, sir,' he replied doggedly.
"You saw him take this parcel into
the library" I 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 I. And
then I repeated my question.
There was no reply.
Thomas said 1, ''what did young
Mr.. Halstead do with this parcel after
he took it into the library?"
II saw him unite the string" he an
swered. ''Then he took up pen from
the table, but 1 didn't see him write
anything"
did he write anything in the library
last EVENING"? I asked, turning to Nor
row, who answered me in the negative
care you sure?' I insisted "YOu
were there all the time that he was
present"
yes" was the answer. Gle didn't
write anything while I was there
Why do you ask?"
because this message on the card is
written with the ink that is used in the
library and not with Jacks style.
graphic pen. There is no ink in this
room that can Sec"
What is the purpose of these ques-
tons? ?" demanded Mr.. Halstead.
Without answering him I took up
the parcel and removed the wrapper
There was a dainty box within, and
upon opening that discovered small
plaque, beautifully painted. The de-
sigr was in lilies of the valley, which
were Dora's favorite flower.
"Unless l am greatly in error" said
"this farewell message on the card
was intended to be put into this box
1t was parting gift to Dora"