Evening star., 1905-10-08

shuffed into their places. There was, however one
exception to the general air of detection. Perkins,
the village hampden aforesaid, had the honor to be
foreman and he intended to justify the liquid re-
freshment he had received and hoped to receive
from his appreciative fellow-townsmen.
As a matter of convenience the proceedings were
held in the library, and the unwonted offered
ample scope to the reporters -impressionists from
the great dailies-who would describe the CLINT
OF sunshine athwart the Coroner's desk in column
and the story of Lord Arncliffes death in phrase.
Mrs. Warren the essence of dignihed bereave-
ment; her son. flushed with the effort to dsentangle
a compliment from the statement of a London
journalist that in the of a varied and extern
sive career he had once met with offensive
oaf than him Harry WARREN; Edith Holt, little
tremulous, but smiling wistful gratitude for the
sympathy of Angler and his wife-these were the
chief personages present, and, for background
the huddled servants and gaping yokels There
were, too, the doctors and granite-faced from
Scotland Yard, but these last, impassive and ap-
parently indifferent, added no touch of human
interest to the scene.
The Coroner briefly recapitu1ated the evidence
heard at the previous sitting, and then recalled
Simpson the valet, who had deposed to finding
Lord Arncliffe dead in his study
when did you last see Lord Arncliffe alive?,
asked the Coroner.
AT five in the afternoon, SIR
'He did not appear to be unwell?'
mo- Sir He asked for his beef-tea, and l went
to the kitchen for it, but found that Miss Holt had
already fetched it.
did Miss Holt usually take Lord Arncliffe his
beef-tea?"
''Yes, Sir l went back and just met her taking
it in. She had been into the laboratory for some
of his lordsbip's papers"
Very well. Now, Mr.. Simpson, you have been
in Lord Arncliffe's employment for a very long
period, have you moth"
"Thrty-eight years, sir. And better MASTER
Quite SO. Tell me, have you ever had reason
to suppose that there anyone who bore a grudge
against his lordship-n Short that he had enemies?
mo, SIR positively, in all the years | served
him | don't believe he harmed so much as a
fly. But believe now that he was poisoned, and
I'll never forgive myself for not believing him when
he told me so"
''Ah! he told you so Please explain the circum-
stances to the jury well you can remember" !"
well, sir, it was just after of his lordship's
fanting fits anG said to me: Simpson, said
he, I'm being murdered Of course | was bit
taken aback, but l thought his mind was wandering
little, though he wonderful intelligent gentle
for all his age, and tried to speak cheerful like
Not bit of it, l told him. Your lordship will
live to be hundred yet, if you only do as Dr.
Smalley tells you
And what did Lord Arnciffe reply?" asked the
Coroner.
DR.. Smaey coughed nodestly
II you will excuse me for using such language
about gentleman above my station, SIR answered
Simpson, his lordship replied that DR.. Smalley
confounded old fool"
With exception, everybody Uttered The
Coroner busted himself with some imaginary notes
for moment and then continued his examination
Did Lord Arncliffe persist in his assertion that
attempt being made to murder him?"
''Yes, sir. He said that he would be a dead
within fortnight"
You did not mention this matter to anybody"
No, His lOrdShiD forbade do so. He