Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-10-06


her; but her strength seemed ex-
on couch in her own rooms, where
her stepfather and her aunt scarcely
left her moment alone.
\ week came and Went without
bringing a relapse; strength returned
She was about once more, she drove
daily. and the color came back to her
cheeks. Both she and Lady Bysshe
felt glad that they had not mentioned
her illness to Godfrey, whom 1t would
have needlessly distressed at time
when he was preparing to plead at II
famous trial whose decision would
mean life or death to the man he de-
Tended.
AS for Doctor Hopkins, he began to
regard himself as an alarmist, to be-
lieve he had mistaken the case, and
he cordially congratulated himself In
not having added to the fears of Lady
Bysshe and the count by expressing
his opinion or seeking for a consulta-
ton.
There We're now no reasons why
Edith and her aunt should not fulfil
their Intention OF visiting Eastbourne;
on the contrary it was desirable for
the girls sake that she should have
sea air and change. Accordingly the
day was again fixed for their depart
ure, but on the morning previous to
was once more taken suddenly ILL., in
the same manner and at about the
same hour as her first seizure.
And as before the utmost alarm
spread through the house at news of
her condition. On hearing 1t Max
g.ooms to saddle horse, and, mount
Ing, galloped at a furious pace to Bal
wash. The startling news was given
in an instant to DIR. Hopkins, who had
just left his bed.
Telegraph at once to Sir William
Taxworth. Have half dozen London
doctors down If you like. Don't spare
called out hurriedly.
DR.. Hopkins scarcely needed him.
Pencil in hand he was writing out a
message to the famous west end physi-
clan. When 1t was done Max snatched
at it and hurried to the door, saying,
horse; he will take you to the hall
quicker than your trap, in which l will
follow you,' and he disappeared in the
direction of the telegraph Office.
On DR.. Hopkins seeing the patient
he found the attack had been compare
lively slight, but u sudden recurrence
OF symptoms SO painful, whose cause
could not be accounted for had added
to the CONSERVATION felt by her step
father and aunt. knowing this would
be increased by hearing that he had
sent for Sir William TaXworth, the
doctor compromised matters stating he
believed the famous physician would
be In the neighborhood during the day,
when he would ask him to see Miss
Cowley; proposition hailed With re-
lief by Lady Bysshe.
In the course of the morning Doc
tor Hopkins received a telegram stat.
Ing that Sir William would reach Ball
wash at q certain hour that afternoon.
When the time came, Doctor Hopkins
met him ut the station and they drove
at once to the hall, the great man ask
ing questions regarding the patient
and her symptoms. When the local
eventually whispered his suspicious
Sir William knit his heavy brows and
pursed UP his fieshy lips in a sign OF
suspicion. Country doctors, he told
himself. were. as rule, alarmists. and
their opinions were not worth a fig
But bearing in mind the mystery of the
Goffe murder and of the recent jewel
robbery which had occurred at the hall,
he felt interested in its inmates and
listened to details concerning them.
1t was suggested to him that in case
he agreed with Doctor Hopkins regard
ing the cause of Edith's attack he
should not alarm her aunt or stepfath-
er by mentioning it to them, but should
confine his opinion to Max, leaving to
him the responsibility of immediate ac-
ton or of subsequently breaking the
news to them. And to this Sir Will
| liam agreed.
Edith was prepared for and not UNI
willing TO receive his visit. The calm,
self-assured presence of this tall, portly
man. dignified in manner, brief OF
speech, and gentle, soothed all With
whom he came into contact. His ex-
animation of the patient lasted but q
&c oy.c1,o RI
her memory. Then he retired with
Doctor Hopkins to an adjoining room,
the door of which he carefully closed.
The symptoms noticeable in the pa
tent" he said impressively, might be
set down to other causes than poison
ing. / confess if you hadn't suggested
poison 1T might not have occurred to
me to be the cause of her Illness. You
have seen her some hours earlier than
!, when, no doubt, the appearances of
poisonous drug We're more noticeable;
or you may have other reasons for
your conclusion"
"a man lost his life in this house by
Z. subtle and little known though pow
erful poison" Doctor Hopkins bluntIy
replied.
THE fact has made me suspicious.
but for that l might also have thought
this illness had another origin. AS it
i
have your opinion, Sir William"
ut certainly may be that poison has
peen administered"
IF so, another attempt will be made
upon her life, and the third time may
prove successful. What would you adj
wise me to do?"
Tell her relatives at once"
1.-The count is blind and helpless, her
aunt can hardly grapple with such a
danger; so nothing is left but to tel;
her stepbrother. At least, he shall
know what we think"
Il take it for granted that he will
use every precaution?"
Il will see that he does. You may
rely on that"
las for remedies you cannot do bet
ter Than what you have already done.
l must leave the case in your hands,"
remarked Sir William, not sorry to
shift the responsibility from his own
shoulders: and he bowed to indicate
that .he conference had ended
To Lady Bysshe and the count, who
impatiently awaited him downstairs, he
spoke of the patient as suffering from
irritation of the stomach, declared that
his clever colleague understood the
case. received his fee, and hurriedly
said good bye as he was in haste to
catch the next train for town.
Doctor Hopkins, after taking Lady
Bysshe aside and asking her to see
that the patient took neither food nor
drank until she saw or heard from
hin, drove away with the great man,
who had left Edith's relatives some
whit surprised by the little he had said
or done, and not altogether satisfied by
his reserve and his haste.
Max was the most silent and
thoughtful of the three, for in passing
Doctor Hopkins had in a frightened
voice begged he would come without
delay to his house at Balwash, where
he would have snmethln of inannr