The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-07-01
CHAPTER ".

no sooner mao LII. 11ODklllS INFORMED
the sergeant of police in charge at Bal
wash of his suspicious regarding the
death of Richard COTE than that officer
considered the news sufficiently serious
to warrant his transmitting it at once
To the director of criminal investigation
of New Scotland Yard. who telegraph
back that Delective-Inspe,tor Foundes
would be sent down Immediately to
knOWleSWorth Hall.
When Foundes reached BalwaSh that
afternoon he called on Dr.. Hopkins
and without delay drove him to the
Hall, where in the locked chamber of
the dead a second examination OF the
deceased was made.
You will see that the body seems in
a perfectly healthy state" said DR..
Hopkins in low, rapid tones. "and the
only speck or blemish it shows is found
on the neck, under the right ear, and
near an important vein. Look at the
stain-it has spread and darkened since
l saw it a few hours ago
The inspector looked at the spot in
Dictated, and then at the eager face of
the living man beside him.
What does it mean" he inquired
his sharp eyes fixed inquiringly on the
speaker.
1T MEANS the medical man an
sWered with grave elaboration. that,
small as it is, that little puncture was
big enough to let his life escape
That puncture caused his DEATH"
There can b. little doubt of it, as
think the post mortem examination
will show. A virulent poison has been
injected, and it took some skill to do il
neatly"
In all his experience Foundes had not
previously met such a case and his in
terest in the tragedy increased with the
mystery that promised to surround it.
SO far as you can judge at present
do you think it likely, sir. that the
deceased took his own life?" the in
spactor asked.
Il don't think it probable. Setting
apart the want of motive for such an
act. l feel sure that in order to kill
himself in this way he would need to
have some knowledge Of anatomy some
skill in the use of poisons; and he was
not q medical student"
Then you believe the man who killed
Mr. Goffe must have known the poison
to select. and the place to inject it?"
SO long as the poison was injected
under the skin at any part of the body
the effect would be fatal. But it's in
lection at this particular spot argues
some study of anatomy. The deceased
merely felt slight sting, probably in
sufficient to wake him from a sound
sleep, when death gradually followed /"
We have murder of no common
kind before US
Il think it the work of no common
or ordinary man" the doctor replied
When presently the latter left.
Foundes, aided by the Balwash con-
stable, began a minute examination of
the dead mans room.
After careful search of the apart
ment and of the belongings of the de-
ceased, he made three notes:
That although the dead mans watch
and chain were left, not a shilling re-
NAMED in his pockets.
That he could find neither papers of
any value nor letters referring to pri-
waite matters.
That the lower half of his bedroom
window stood open, and that near It..
on the waxed floor We're scratches that
might possibly have been made BY
nailed boots. or boots with iron heels.
Looking from this window, he saw
that the roof OF a veranda which skirt
ed that side of the house was within a
few feet OF the sill The hard, we'll
rolled torrance in front gave no trace
Of footsteps.
1 have been his servant since I was
lad. My father and grandfather and
their foretathers have Eeen in the serv-
ice OF his illustrious family. We have
always belonged to him." Urbano told
him, a smile which puzzled the IN
spector, playing about the Wallets thin
lips. which never quite covered the
double row of his square yellow teeth.
His English was excellent, but his ac-
cent foreign.
Win the exception Of the butler, he
was the only servant to whom Foundes
had spoken, and he instantly set about
questioning him.
This Is strange business" he said
in confidential tone, as he looked
toward the window of the room where
the dead man lay.
The dwarf-like creature contented
himself with giving the inspector an
lnscrutable glance and nodding his
great head.
Did you happen to hear anything
this morning." the inspector asked, his
senses alert.
No, answered Urbano, darting from
under his peaked heavy brows another
quick furtive glance, II heard nothing,
but | saw
Saw" Foundes repeated with