Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-10-07
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hNNolA u TIC SpdSiflS that IldQ WT0lcncu
her; but her strength seemed ex-
hausted and she was content to lie
on a couch in her own rooms. where
her stepfather and her aunt scarcely
left her a alone.
A 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 a time
when he was preparing to plead at a
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 a mistaken the case, n
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 1t was desirable for
the girls sake that she should have
sea afr and change. Accordingly the
day was again fixed for their depart
ure, but on the morning previous to
that On which they were to start Edith
was once more taken suddenly Ill, in
the same manne n 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 it Max
rushed to the stables, helped the
grooms to saddle a horse, and, mount
ing, gafloped at a furious pace to Bal
wash. The startling news was given
L. . - - - A. H. IL 1A1
just left his bed,
Telegraph at once to Sir William
Taxworth. Have half a dozen London
doctors down if you like. Don't spare
expense, only-only save her." Max
called out hurriedly.
DR.. Hopkins scarcely needed him.
Pencil in han he was writing out a
message to the famous west end physi-
clan. When it was done Max snatched
at it and hurried to the door, saying,
Il will send 1t off myself. Mount my
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 a been COMPARE
lively slight, but a sudden recurrence
of symptoms Sc 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; a proposition hailed with re-
lief by Lady Bysshe.
In the course of the morning Doc
tor Hopkins received q telegram stat
ing that Sir William would each Bal
wash at a certain hour that afternoon.
When the time came, Doctor Hopkins
met him at the station and they drove
at once to the hall, the great mar 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 a rule, alarmists, n
their opinions were not worth a fig.
But bearing in mind he mystery of the
Goffe murder n 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-
err by mentioning 1t 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 un-
willing to receive his visit. The calm,
self-assured presence of this tall, portly
mar, dsSn.sea ~ aa.ce brief CO
speech, and gentle, soothed all with
mhnpa ha aaT,1a into contact His aY-
animation of the patient lasted but a
few minutes, his questions searched
her Then he retired with
Doctor Hopkins to an adjoining room.
the door of which he carefully closed.
1.-THE symptoms noticeable in the pa
tient," he said impressively, might be
set down to other causes than poison
ing. / confess If you hadn't suggested
poison it 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
a poisonous drug were more noticeable;
or you may have other reasons for
your conclusion"
"A mar lost his life in this house by
a subtle and little known though pow
erful poison" Doctor Hopkins bluntly
replied.
yes, I remember, And you think
1.-THE fact has made me suspicious.
But for that / might also ave thought
this illness had another origin. AS it
is / am puzzled, and i was anxious to
have your opinion, Sir William"
1T certainly may be that poison has
been 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?"
Tel her relatives at once"
THE count is blind and helpless, her
aunt a hardly grapple with such a
danger; so nothing Is left blu to tell
her stepbrother. At least, he shall
know what we think"
II take it for granted that he will
use every precaution? ?"
II will see that he does. You may
rely on that"
"As for remedies you cannot do bet
ter than what you ave already done.
I 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 the 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 fha paffent took neither food nor