Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1908-12-03


railway station at Aurora. The evi-
dent topic of conversation on all sides
was the tragedy of the night before.
/ scorned unofficial information until
had exhausted the official. However,
l could not resist turning to one of the
groups on the platform and asking:
What is the latest in the Williams
case?"
DOC. Smith gave himself up about
two hours ago." was the answer.
When we reached police headquar-
ters we found Chief Darling in his
office and at leisure. AS we entered
my companion slipped me his card
with an apology for having omitted
the formality on the train. The name
I read was Mr.. Carlton Clarke"
Chief Darling was willing to talk,
but protested that he had no knowl-
edge which was not already public
property in the city. He had arrested
Dr.. Smith upon his own request and
after a conference with the states at
torney. The most damaging evidence
against him, aside from the known de-
tails of the tragedy, was a powerful
motive. The prisoner had every reason
in the world to be the enemy of the
dead physician, although there had
never been an open rupture and they
met as friends in society and lodge
work. When DR.. Williams came to
Aurora Dr. Smith had a fiourishing
practice. Within the two years his
practice had dwindled to practically
nothing, most of his wealthiest pa
tients having fallen under the spell Of
DR.. Williams engaging personality.
But it was over an affair of the heart
that the most serious clash in their
fortunes Rad occurred DR.. Smith for
years had been keeping company"
with pretty Lucille Burton. Everybody
in the city believed them to be tacitly
engaged. The society sensation there.
fore was sprung when the cards came
out about a year before announcing
the marriage of DR.. Williams and Lu-
cile Burton
"Now, Mr. Darling" continued
Clarke, you have of course invest-
gated fully the history of the pow
der?"
THAT was the first move l made,
and that's one thing that makes 1T look
bad for Doc. The fake stuff never left
his hands from the time it was ground
until the shot was fired. The lodge
has been getting its imitation made at
Burpee's drug store, where a clerk by
the name of Wilbur Paget, who Is a
member of the lodge, grinds 1t up on
the quiet as we need it. On the
afternoon of the initiation he had made
up a quantity. Doc. Smith dropped
into the store about half-past five, and
up in package. AS far as | can find
out nobody but Paget and Doc. handled
it or saw it."
Don't you suppose the clandestine
meeting he had with Mrs. Williams
this morning had something to do
with it?"
Now look here, who has leaked?"
angrily exclaimed Darling.
You have leaked, my dear Mr. Oar
ling" answered Clarke. "It was a
chance cast and I'm surprised that an
old hand like you should have taken
the bait. But you may rely upon our
discretion, and | trust you will pardon
my lucky stroke and give us your full
confidence"
Clarkes good humor seemed par
TALLY to mollify the angry officer, but
l could see that the shot ranked.
When we entered his cell Dr. Smith
was seated upon the board which did
duty as a bed. He was quite my ideal
type of a typical physician.
During the conversation | could see
the eyes of the doctor constantly re-
| found there some irresistible fascina.
tion. Then Clarke suddenly broke in.
Whom are you shielding" he
cried
mo one" fairly shouted the doctor.
Who are you that you should come
here to catechise me?"
I'VE have all the information we
shall get here" said Clarke as he
! took my arm and beckoned to the
| chief who had watched the interview
through the small glass-covered aper
ture in the door.
The drug clerk, Wilbur Paget. cor
roborated all the chief had said re-
garding the fake powder, but by far
the most important piece of informa
ton which he was able to give us was
that on The afternoon he gave the pack
age TO DR. Smith he had also handed
the doctor Il small purchase which