The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-02-14
CHAPTER XVII.


NIL over Melbourne. The ubiquitous re-
porter, of course, appeared on the scene.
and the evening papers gave its own YER
sion of The affair, and hint at foul play.
There were no grounds for this state
ment. as DIR. Chinston told Kitty and
Madame Midas to say nothing about the
poison, and il was generally understood
that the deceased had died FROM apoplexy.
rumor. however, which originated none
knew how, crept about among every one
that poison was the cause of death, and
this, being added to by some and embel-
lished in all its little details by others,
there was soon a complete story made up
about the affair.
The inquest was appointed to take place
next day, and Cation had been asked by
Madame Midas to be present on her be-
half, Kilsip, a detective officer, was also
present. and, curled up like a cat in the
corner, was listening to every word of the
evidence.
The first witness called was Madame
Midas, who deposed that the deceased.
Selma Jane Sprotts, was her servant. She
bad gone to bed in excellent health, and
next morning she had found her dead.
Kitty then told her story.
The inquest was adjourned till next
day, and there was great excitement over
the affair. If Kitty Marchurst's state
ment was true, the deceased must have
died from the administration of poison !;
but. on the other hand, DIR. Chinston as
serted positively that there was no trace
81 poison. and that the deceased had clear
~ died from apoplexy.
Suddenly. however, a new interest was
given to the case by the assertion that a
Ballarat doctor, called Gollipeck, who was
noted Psychologist, had come down to
Melbourne to assist at the analysis of the
stomach. and knew something which
you'd throw light on the mysterious
death.
Vandeloup saw the paragraph which
gave this information, and it disturbed
him very no ach.
THAT book of Prevol's," he said to him.
self. as he threw down the paper; lit will
put them on the right track. and then
WE'LL" observed NJ. vandeloup, senten-
tiously. they say danger sharpens a
mans wits; it's lucky for me If 1t does "
His rooms in Clarendon street, East
Melbourne, were very luxuriously and ar
tistically furnished. in perfect accordance
with the taste of their owner. NJ CASTOR
vandeloup, though not exactly miserable,
was very iii at ease The inquest had
been adjourned until the government an
alyst, assisted by Or. Gollipeck, had ex-
amined the stomach, and according to a
paragraph in the evening paper, some
strange statements, duplicating various
people, would be made next day. 1t was
this that made vandeloup so uneasy, for
be knew that DIR. Gollipeck would trace a
resemblance between the deash Of Selma
Sprouts in Melbourne and Adele Blondet
in Paris, and then the question would
arise how the poison used in the one case
came 10 be used in the other.
1t was about 8 o'clock at night, and
CASTOR was busy in his rooms packing up
to go away next morning. He had dispos-
ed OF his apartments to Bellthorp. as that
young gentleman had lately come in for
some money and was dissatisfied with the
paternal roof, where he was kept too
strictly tied up
yandeloup, seated IN his shirt sleeves
in the midst of chaos of articles of
clothing. portmanteaux and boxes. was,
with the experience OF an accomplished
traveller, rapidly putting these ali away
in the most expeditions and neatest man
ner While thus engaged there came a
ring at the outer door, and shortly after
ward Gaston's landlady entered his rocm
with a card
"A gentleman wants to see you, sir,
she said, holding out the card.
I'm not at home" replied Vandeloup
x.sr~1,<
"He says you'd like to see him, sir,
answered the woman, standing at the
door
'aThe mischief he Does" muttered Van
deloup, uneasily; Il wonder what this
pertinacious gentleman's name isl" and be
glanced at the card, wherein was writer
DR. Gollipeck."
yandeloup felt a chill running through
him as he rose to his feet. The battle
was about to begin, and he knew hG
would need all his wit mad skill to gel
himself ont safely. DR.. Gollipeck hat
thrown down the gauntlet, and he would
have 70 pick it up. Well, 1t was best tc
know the worst at once, so he told tht
iandlady he would see Gollipeck down
stairs. He did not want him to come uI
there, as he would see all the evidence:
OF his intention to leave the country.
"I'II see him downstairs" he said
sharply, to the landlady; task the gentle
nan to wait"
N The landlady, however, was pushed
roughly to one side, and DIR. Gollipeck
rusty and dingy looking as ever, entered
the ROOM
mo need, my dear friend" he said II
his grating voice, blinking at the youn;
man through his spectacles. I'VE can tall
here"
yandeloup signed to the landlady Il
leave the room, which she did. closing the
door after her, and then, pulling himseli
together with a great effort, he advance
smilingly on the doctor.
"Ah. my dear monsieur" he said, in his
musical voice, holding out both hands
.ssho~ pleased / am to see you"
DIR. Gollipeck gurgied pleasantly in hi:
throat at this and laughed. that is, some
thing apparently went wrong in his inside
and a rasping noise came out of hi.
mouth.
my room is untidy, is it mott" sale
vandeIoup, nodding his head carelessly al
the chaos of furniture. "I'h going away
for a few days."
"a few days; ha, ha. ~ observed Coli
peck. something again going wrong will
his inside. "Your destination is"
Sydney" replied CASTOR, promptly.
>"And thenT qusried the doctor.
depends upon circumstances"
That's a mistake" retorted Gollipeck
leaning forward; at depends upon me-"
vandeloup smiled
"In that case, circumstances, as repre-
sented by you, will permit me to choos,
INV own destinations"
depends entirely upon your bein:
xuided by circumstances, as represented
by me-" retorted the doctor grimly.
"Pshaww said the Frenchman, coolly
slet us have done with allegory, and com.
to common sense. What do you want 2
81 want Octave Braulard," said Coli
peck. rising TO his feet.
vandeloup quite expected this, and wa
too clever to waste time in denying hi
identity.
"He stands before you," he answered
-rurtly, '.what thenY'
you acknowledge. then, that you ar