Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-04-12
CHAPTER XNYII.

/ III News lTuNclS Iasl, anu pclOT Hooa
the death of Selma Sprotts was known
all over Melbourne. The ubiquitous re
porter, of course, appeared on the scene
sud the evening papers gave it's W yer
sion of the affair, and a 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 it was generally understood
that the deceased had died from apoplexy.
A 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-
lisiied 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 Gallon had been asked by
Madame Midas to be present on her be
half, Kilsip, n 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, vino deposed that the deceased,
Selma Jane Sprouts, was her servant. She
had gone to bed in excellent health, and
next morning she had found her dead.
Kitty then told her story.
4 - ioNS "ho o4J'o z a. oiSb
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
of 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
a noted toxicologist, had come down to
Melbourne to assist ut the analysis of the
STOMACH, and knew, something which
would throw light on. the mysterious
death.
Vandeloup saw the paragraph which
gave this information, and 1t disturbed
him very much.
THAT booksof Prevof's,' he said to him
self, as he threw down the paper sit will
put them on the right track, and then
WE'LL observed NJ. vandeloup, senten-
tiousiy, they say danger sharpens a
mans wits it's lucky for me il it does"
His rooms in Clarendon street, East
Melbourne, were very luxurious1y and ar
tistically furnished, in perfect accordance
with the taste of their owner. NJ. CASTOR
Vandeloup, though not exactly miserable,
W So SAy - - SboNs II w. iau
been adjourned until the government an
alyst, assisted by DIR. 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
he knew that DIR. Gollipeck would trace a
resemblance between the death of Selma
Sprotts in Melbourne and Adele Blondet
In Paris, and then the question would
arise how the poison used in the one case
came to 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
Vandeloup, seated in his shirt sleeves
in the midst Of a chaos of articles of
clothing, portmanteaux and boxes. was,
with the experience of an accomplished
traveller, rapidly putting these all away
In the most expeditions and neatest man
ner. While thus engaged there came a
ward Gaston's landlady entered his room
with n card.
"A gentleman wants to see you, sir"
she said, holding out the card.
.Im n . at home," replied vandeloup,
coolly X can't see any one tonight"
Fl says you'd like to see him, sir"
answered the woman. standing at the
door.
The mischief he Does" muttered Van
deloup, uneasily; II wonder what this
pertinacious gentleman's name isl" and he
glanced at the card, whereon was written
"Dr. Gollipeck."
Vandeloup felt a chill running through
him as he rose to his feet. The battle
was about to begin, and lie knew he |
would need all his wit mad skill to get
himself out safely. DR.. Gollipeck had
thrown down the gaunklet, and he would
have to pick it up. Well, It was best to
know the worst at once, so he told the
landlady he would see Gollipeck down
stairs. He did not want him to come up
there, as he would see all the evidences
OF his intention to leave the country.
.Ill see him downstairs" he said,
sharply, to the. landlady TASK the gentle
maj to wait"
The landlady, however, was pushed
roughly to one side, and DR.. Gollipeck,
rusty and dingy looking as ever, entered
the room.
mo need, my dear friend,'' he said in
his grating voice, blinking at the young
man through his spectacles, I'VE can talk
here"
vandeloup signed to the landlady to
leave the room, which she did. closing the
door after her, and then, pulling himself
together with a great effort, he advanced
smilingly on the doctor.
f.Ah, my dear monsieur he said, in his
musical voice, holding out both hands,
.show pleased / am to see you."
DIR. Gollipeck gurglcd pleasantly in his
throat at this and laughed, that is, some
thing apparently went wrong in his inside
and a rasping noise came out of his
mouth.
MY room is untidy, is it not?' said
vandeloup, nodding his head carelessly at
the chaos of furniture. "I'h going away
for a few days"
"a few days; ha, ha !" observed Coli
peck, something again going wrong with
his inside. "Your destination is-"
Sydney" replied CASTOR, promptly.
And then o. Queried the doctor.
Depends upon circumstances.
That's a mistake" retorted Gollipeck,
leaning forward "it depends upon me-"
vandeloup smiled.
.In that case, circumstances, as repre-
scented BY you. viii permit me to choose
my own destinations"
Depends entirely upon your being
-,~S4nI No. Swn.vr-.Aa~-n~ -