davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
THE HuROVIA LODGE CASE

II have no recollection Of saying
anything CT TIE Kind, although I ad-
NIT 1 was thinking IT," I replied. May
! ask how you defined my thoughts
so readily"
'Oh, 1 noticed that you were study
ing the case from the papers. IT took
no second sight to see that you were
not satisfied with the information you
gained I am going down on the case
myself. and doubtless / followed your
chain OF ideas. which J am sure came
TO the only logical conclusion. / trust
there Is rothing uncanny about II.
But permit me 10 share your seat with
you. IL Is hard 10 converse over one
Of these high backs"
Whom do you represent at Auro-
War 1 asked when the change had
been executed.
no one. I am unofficial. and am
going solely upon my own hook"
Then yo1 are a sort Of Sherlock
Holmes?" I ventured.
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
InterTieM With Homan.

You lead IN the conversation, Sex
ton. I want a chance to study her"
said Clarke. Question her .dst as II
everything I told you last night was
fact and as IL YOU knew az about the
doctors step here and the meeting
yesterday morning"
You must come 10 my rescue II
you see me getting into dep water"
He nodded, and further talk was
interrupted by the entrance Of the
widow. she was petite little body,
with a face pretty. yet fIu OF charac-
ter, framed in a mass Of dark hair,
defiant OF pins and faHtanings. Caste
was written IN the dnely arched eye
brows. the weIl-formed nose, and ne
hrmly modelled chin. She was OF the
type which loves much bat suffers In
silence. Women OF her class DO not
turn to murder to escape trouble.
Mrs. Williams" I began, rather
lamely. after, her acceptance OF our
apologies, I viii spare You. as far as
possible. all reference to The terrible
tragedy, but I would like TO ask you
q few questions relating % the events
OF the afternoon previous 70 II. In the
first place. understand that Dr.
e-~'.h stopped here on his way home
TO supper"
'Dr. Smith stopped to leave pack
age which I had ordered Dy 'phone
from the drug store"
And I understand that he came
into the house and sat a few minutes,
leaving his hat and another package
which he carried, IN the hall.
Mrs. Williams started, grew a shade
paler. but quickly recovered her com
posure. and nodded in acquiescence.
And when Or, Smith left, I con-
tinued, Il understand that he neglect
ed to take his package with him"
Again she started, bit her lips, but
nodded an affirmative.
How long did the package remain
here after DR.. Snith Lefty
The Washington times., 1908-08-09

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 imita-
ton made at BUrpees 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 imitation he
had made up a quantity. Doc Smith
dropped into the store about $50. and
Paget gave him the powder wrapped
up IN a package. AS far as I can
find out nobody but Paget and Doc
handled II or saw IT,"
Have you inquired whether DR..
Smith has purchased any gunpowder
lately?''
"Oh. It wouldn't be necessary for
him to do that. All the doctors here
hunt a good deal, and Doc Smith al
ways has plenty OF ammunition in his
house If he wanted to make way
with Doc Williams It would be the
easiest thing in the world for him to
have changed the powders, and then
said it was accident. But II that's
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
COnfesses to Guilt.

Mrs. Williams. he began in his
Whirlwind fashion, Il VIII ask you
wat passed between yourself and Dr.
Smith at the early morning meeting
you had with him yesterday Wait a
minute. Is Is not fact that Dr.
Smith called you 20 the back door be-
fore the nelghbors were up and waHe
the watchers were all In the fr0nt part
OF the house with the body. and con-
fessed 10 you that he had executed
the fatal change In the powders"
Did Or. Smith tell you that?' she
asked IN a tense voice, while she con-
vulsiveIy clasped and unclasped heF
hands
DR.. Smith has told me nothing. Il
is fact, is it not?"
YES"
But despite his confession to you
and the fact that he gave himself up
10 the police, you believe him 70 De
innocent?'
20. sir, more than believe. / know
ne is innocent"
How do you know hT" snapped
Clarke, with his eyes riveted upon the
fran biz Of femininity before him.
Il know t-because-beCause
changed the powders.
1 could scarcely believe my senses.
glanced at Clarke, expecting a furtive
look OF triumph. Instead he seemed
completely nonplussed and sat looking
into Mrs Williams terrified eyes as II
his whole soul was seeking 10 drag
forth her secret When he finally
broke the spell his voice took on q
tone Of deepest earnestness.
Mrs. Williams. ahy do you, who
are not OF a caste given TO faIsehood,
deliberately tell me what I know to be
untTue2 DR.. Smith would not ask thia
sacrifice at your hands. He is limo
cent. and MS innocence alone win save
him"
Sne arose and grasped the hack OF
her chair for support. She seemed
about 10 fan, but she gathered ali the
energy OF mighty spirit n q fraiI
body. ana cried, appeaingly:
%, 1 win save him. You shall not
prevent me. Even though he be guilty
1 VIII save HIN. Mine was the first
guilt. Prove that he is innocent, and
I viii thank you with my whole life.
II you cannot, do not stand IN ny
way, for I am the guilty one and on
my head alone should the punishment
iaIL You have dragged out my
secret and made me lay my heart open
before you who are strangers. Do not
betray me, but let me work this prob
lam out IN my own way, I leg OF you.
gentlemen
Xou may rely on our discretion.
Mrs Williams" said Clarke, as he
took the cold hand Of the woman 10
help her 70 her chair. But I hone
that there viii be some other way out
Of II, and that no sacrifice WIN h
necessary"
Just then the telephone bell rang
violently.
The Washington times., 1908-08-09

/ viii show you the opportunity later.
Her motive was a double one She
suffered in silence the constant abuse
OF a drunken husband She loved an
other. Thus she had the strongest mo-
tive which can actuats a woman TO
murder, the desire 70 rid herself OF
man who was running her life and 20
be free to marry a man she loved.
Now for the opportunity which you
doubt. When DR.. Smith stopped at
the Williams home TO deliver the
package from the drug store DIT. VII
liams was out. Common courtesy de-
msnded that the wife ask DF. Smith
into the house. even had her hesrt
not prompted her to snatch every mo-
ment with him that she could. When
he entered the house he handed the
one package TO Mrs. williams. II was
his excuse for calling. The other, the
powder. he laid down with his hat on
the hall tree
"I cannot conjecture the nature OF
their conversation. That is q point
on which I VIII be able TO tell you
more tomorrow. But here is one OF
the vital points OF the chain Mrs
williams knew the nature Of the or
deal which her husband was 70 go
through that night. I would stake my
reputation that Dr. Smith told her,
for he is Just the type OF man who is
unable TO keep anything from a wom-
an. So we viii set Il down as reason
able that Mrs williams knew
The Washington times., 1908-08-09

LADGL mysterious cases LlhL ever
arose in Illinois, but rather for the
reason that it marked my first meet
ing with Carlton Clarke. a meeting
destined 10 develop into our joint
excursions into hitherto uutrodden
pathways in the study Of crime which
have since made ClaTke's name fam
Gus in two continents.
Il was in the summer Of 1895 that
the word came 10 the office OF the
Chicago morning paper with which l
was then connected that the police OF
the little city OF Aurovia were stTug-
Cling with a case. which seemed des-
tined 10 prove one Of the greatest
mysteries of the day. AS / had met
with considerable success in criminal
cases the managing editor lost no
time in hustling me of by the first
train 10 the scene Of action.
The brief account in the first paper
picked up, stripped of its glazing
headlines. was as follows:
Early this morning a very myEtc-
rlOus tragedy occurred in the han OF
the Ancient order of Persian knights,
a local secret society. which resulted
IN the almost instant death OF DR.. Ar
thur W. Williams, a prominent ply
siclan Of this city. The initiation Of
DIT. Williams was in progress at the
time. In one portion of the ceremony
the candidate. having been condemned
20 death for invading the sacred do
main Of the shah, is ordered to load
an Old-fashioned duehng pistol with
powder and ball which are furnished
him. He is then placed against the
wall and the pistol is fired point blank
at him by member of the lodge hold
ing the office Of royal executioner-
The powder provided the candidate
has always been a clever counterfeit
made Of pulverized anthracite coal.
and the only climax 20 the thrilling
ceremony. heretofore, has been the
hzzIe Of the percussion cap and the
shouts Of laughter of the lodge mem
bers. DR.. williams was an old hand
at lodge work. AS a consequence. none
of the efforts Of the Persian Knights
70 break down his nerve or self-pos-
session had been successful. When he
had loaded the pistol he faced DR..
Homer Smith, whose duty il was 10
fire the shot, and gazed into his eyes
without a visible tremor. Suddenly
the members of the lodge, about go
Of whom We're present, were startled
by loud explosion. DIT. Williams fell
forward with blood gushing from q
wound In his forehead. Among the
first 10 reach the stricken man was
Dr. Smith, who had fired the fatal
shot. lie tried TO stanch the blood.
but the bullet had penetrated the
brain and Dr. Williams died in his
arms without speaking. Chief Of Po-
lice Darling, who is a prominent mem
Der OF the order, holding the Office Of
royal astrologer, at once thought TO
secure the cup from which the powder
had been poured. A few grains re-
manned. He tasted them. 1t was un-
mistakably black gunpowder. No ar
rests have been made and no one
seems willing TO take the responsible
ity Of saying that the tragedy was
anything more than accident due TO
the Carelessness of someone in getting
the counterfeit powder mixed with the
real article"
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
Police Chief Was Easy.

You have leaked, my dear Mr.. Oar
ling" answered Clarke 1T 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"
Clarke's good humor seemed par
TALLY to mollify the angry officer. but
I could see that the shot ranked.
7 guess I was pretty easy" said
Darling. but I'll take Il as favor II
you won't say anything. OF course
IT viii all come out al the inquest, but
don't know what passed between
them, and IN the meantime I'm say
ing nothing about it
We may see DR.. Smith, sup
poser" I asked.
III see II he will receive you" an
swerad the chief.
In a few minutes he returned with
the information that the doctor would
grant US an audience,
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.
I waited q few seconds, expecting
Clarke TO take the lead in the con-
versation as he seemed inclined to do
with the chief. He, however, seemed
TO prefer the study Of DR.. Smiths
eyes. The pause was becoming awk-
ward and so I broke it.
Il assure you. doctor" I said, that
our duty is a painful one, but you are
aware that the newspapers tomorrow
will print all the Information which
the ingenuity Of their reporters can
ACQUIRE. I believe 1t Will be 10 your
advantage to give me your story and
let our paper, at least. put you before
the public in the very best light.
Dogged silence on your part will, I be
Iieve. tend 10 change The popular YER
dict upon your admission OF tech
nicauy guilty from Involuntary man
slaughter to that of willful murder"
II care little for the verdict OF the
public Let them call II 'willful muir
der If they wish"
"Then that is the inference which
you wish me TO give your silence IN
my story Of the case7"
Give it whatever inference you
viii. This is matter solely between
me and the law. and I cannot see that
either the public or the newspapers
have any rights 10 my confidence"
During this conversation I could see
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
NOt &c SherIock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes is an impossible
~. With all due respect to his liter
airy DrOgenltor, DIT. Doyle. I have very
little respect for his methods, al
though I admit ! employ them at
times. Crime is psychological and
must be approached psychologicany
regarding both its prevention and it's
detection. X must be combatted by
the study OF men. not by the ANALYSIS
Of cigar ashes. II may be prevented
by improving the breed OF human be-
ings rather than that Of bloodhounds.
But I tire you, perhaps.
NO, no, go on; I beg Of you"
There IS scarcely time for further
discussion, for II am not mistaken
we are nearing aurovia. BY the way.
YOU doubles can procure me an in
terview with DR.. Homer Smith in the
jail, as you have the backing Of a
big newspaper"
But DR.. Smith has not been arrest
ed, according TO the papers. I had the
very latest editions"
He had not when we left Chicago.
but unless am greatly mistaken he is
now behind the bars and with a pref
~ black case against him"
you certainly have information on
the case which the newspapers have
not been able 10 obtain" I replied,
rather nettled.
mo. know 10 more about the case
than you. Perhaps I merely jump at
the conclusion as the hnality Of a
theory which my mind suggested. I
may be mistaken
Further conversation was interrupt
ed by our arrival before the little arti-
fetal stone building which serves for
a railway station at Aurovia. The evil
dent topic Of conversation on all sides
was the TRACE OF the night before.
7 scorned unofficial information until
7 had exhausted the official. However,
I could not resist turning TO one OF
the groups on the platform and ask
ing:
What is the latest In the Williams
case?"
DOC. Smith gave himself up about
two hours ago." was the answer.
$50 my tEsOry was correct" muir
murei my companion.
Yes. and the mystery knocked out
Of another good story. But let's see
what the police have 20 say"
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 MI Carlton Clarke"
Chief Darling was willing 20 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
attorney. 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 10 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
Aurovia DR.. Smith had a fiourishing
practice. Within the two years his
practice had dwindled % practically
nothing, most OF his wealthtest pa
tents having fallen under the spell Of
Or. Williams engaging personality.
The Washington times., 1908-08-09

gether IN the future. II is only fair
thEt you should lut@w something Of
my methods. 70 insure against your
slkepticlsm OF what / arm going 10 tell
you / wish first 10 give you a little
demonstration II what those who
know me are pleased TO term my pow
ers.
In the first place, you are consider
ing giving up active newspaper work
and devoting your entire time 10 work
that is more congenial. Since com
ing to AUroyia you have fully decided
70 take tie step, give up your position,
withdraw from the club on Huron
street where you are living, and where
quiet werl is out Of the question. and
take a little fat which you have in
mind, win possibly one congeuisl
companion This Will be your best
plan, my dear Sexton. and 1 am So g
you will make a success of the great
work which you have outlined"
1 was literally stumped. Here was a
man relating TO me ideas which had
formed in my brain within the time I
had been talking 10 him, and Of which
there could be no possible external
evidence.
Il am ready to believe anything"
/ said. Now what Is the SYSTEM"
"Of course, you are familiar with
telepathy," replied Clarke, and are
sufficiently liberal-minded 10 admit
the possibility OF a thing which even
-blooded modern science credits.
Then you are a mind-reader. and
have seen the workings OF my brain
pictured 10 your own, just as you have
seen the thoughts OF the chief. DR..
Smith, and the drug clerk"
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
Woman Had the Powder.

Now, for the opportunity. When
DIR. Smith left the houOe he did not
take the powder with him. Whether
II was connivanCe. intent. or merely
observation-disclosures I cannot say, but
I incline toward the latter. At any
rate, the imitation powder was In the
possession Of Mrs. Williams for some
little time She knew its purpose.
What is there TO prevent her from
making the substitution It is her
great temptation. A moment and it
is done. Now the man who has mer-
tied her concentrated hatred and scorn
for a year OF welded life will pass out
and she Will be free. Who VIII be The
wiser? Who viii attribute Il to any
thing but accicent7''
''Or to her lcver?' I objected.
That. my dear Sexton, would be q
fatal objection were woman a reason
ing creature. It is doubtful II she
thought of that possibility"
NO. no. you are all wrong" sx-
claimed II would have 70 lose all
my faith in womsnkind before could
credit IT. I would rather believe It of
the doctor"
But I know he IS innocent. I nav
be mistaken about the woman" an
swered ClarIe.
but how do you known
81 would Hesitate TO tell you" said
Clarke. turning hts eyes full upon me.
were it not for the fact that I fore
see that we are destined to work 10.
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
Details Left Ont.

"Oh, those country spondents!'
1 fairly groaned. There was so much
1 wanted 20 know. Who had handled
the supposed counterfeit powder?
What was the customary source from
which the lodge procured II? What
were the relations of the two physi-
clans toward each other? 1 turned 10
the other papers One or two gave
further details OF the character of the
lodge, the name of which was strange
to me, and something of the person
ality of the principals.
The two physicians we're prominent
IN the professional and social life of
the city. DR.. Williams had settled In
AurOvia two years before. DR.. Smith
had been born and reared there. DR..
Williams left d widow, but no children.
Dr.. smith was unmarried and mado
his home with a maiden aunt.
ut all depends upon the history of
the powder" I said TO myself as I
stuffed the papers into my pocket
you are right sir. tt an depends
upon the history of the powder"
1 turned around half in anger at
this unIooked-for interruption to my
train of thought Whatever emotion I
may have felt was instantly lost in
interest I'm the face before me. II was
a face ! should have singled out
among a thousand. Clean shaven. the
firmly nodded chin showed by its
slight tinge of blue that the beard. had
IL been allowed TO grow, would have
been black. The nose was aQuiline
and Of perfect proportions. The intel
liEent eyes were dark almost 10 black
ness. The complexion was swartuy,
but suffused with the glow of health
The hair was OF that distingue COM
bination of coIors. black. shading al
most to white on the temples and over
the forehead An American, evidently,
but inhentiug through several genera
lions Of New World ancestors the
markings or southern Europe His
height I should have estimated AT six
feet. Carlton Clarke really lacks
three-ousrters of an inch OF the mark.
You were saying that it all depends
upon the history Of the powder. and
agreed that you had estimated the
ease correctly repeated my neighbor.
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
An Affair of Heart.

But it was over an affair Of the
heart that the most serious clash I'm
their fortunes had occurred. DR.. Smil.
for years had been keeping COM
pany" viii. pretty Lucille Burton.
Everybody in the city believed them
10 be tacitIy engaged. The society
sensation therefore was sprung when
the cards came out about a year be-
fore announcing the marriage Of DR..
Williams and Lucille Burton
Has their married life been hap
py?' asked Carlton Clarke, the first
words he had spoken during the in
terview.
''WeH. yes, as far e. anybody knows.
Or. Williams Was hard drinker at
t!mes-what you might call a period
cal drinker-but few people knew Il.
as he always went home and locked
himself in the house for three or focr
days and it was given out that he was
sick. But my me7 have taken him
home many time just before one
Of those sick spells.
What is DR.. Smiths bearinEq.,
That's just what puzzles me. aa
will make no confession and Vet he
wanted to be locked up. said 10
him, Look here Doc. you're not
guilty of this thing. are your and
he said 'Tecnnicalls 1 am. and not
another w5r5 can L get out of him.
But 1 shouldn't be surprised II he
makes a fun confession at the inquest
tomorrow.
Now, Mr. Darling" continued
Clarke, you have. Of course. investi-
gated fully the history OF the pow
der2''
THAT was the first move I made,
and that's one thing that makes it
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
At the Inquest.

Answer It, Il you please. Nh. Sex
ton. said tbs woman. who seemed too
weak TO rise.
I went 70 the telephone.
Coroner has arrived. Inquest Is be-
ginning. Mrs. Williams wanted at
once at the courthouse"
I turned and gave the message YER
batim
With a hurried promise 70 keep our
counsel, let Mrs. williams take her
own course. but 10 do all IN our power
70 aid her, Clarke and left the
house.
what do you think Of it, CIarke9-
asked
7 don't know what 70 think. They're
both innocent She told the truth.
You noticed how led her into II. She
has q remarkably psychic mind. and I
knew the storm was coming before Il
broke
she s. innocent, but I have my
doubts about the doctor. He con-
fessed his guilt 70 her. He wouldn't
have done that II he were innocent"
He would be more likely 70 II he
Uers innocent than II he were guilty.
He thought he was saving her from
confessing TO him. Each believes the
other guilty. I'll be hanged # I be-
lisve either OF them IS. See here. vou
go back 70 town and keep an ere on
the inquest Do all in your power 10
keep Mrs. Williams from makins, q
confession. I have an intuition which
leads me IN the direction OF Dr..
Smiths barn"
When 7 reached the courthouse the
proceedings already had commenced.
was IN plenty Of time, however. a.
mich time was being wasted with thu
history os the lodge, and the evidence
OF about twenty Of those who were
present at the time Of the tragedy.
each or whom told exactly the sans
story. I slipped into a vacant seat in
side the bar. and directly behind mrs.
Williams. who was Ranked BIZ two
Jobs cOmfoTteTs' in the persons OF
elderly female friends. When had the
chance I whispered to her: do not
make any confession until BIr. Clarke
comes. he Is on the trail OF new evil
dence."
The first evidence OF real import
ance was that Of the drug clerk, who
sVore TO the facts he had told Clarke
and myself Chief Darling's policeman
swore to the early morning meeting
and ths effect seemed TO be to turn the
tide Of sentiment decidedly against DR..
Smith. who was preserving HIS com
posure admirably during the trying
ordeal
Finally Mrs Williams was called to
the stand. There was a buzz OF excite
Continued on Ninth Page.)
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
/N5HI 10 Pr ms

the case, I can't >understand what be
wants 20 give himself up for"
Don't you suppose the Clandestine
meeting he had with Mrs. Williams
this morning had something to do
with ftp"
Now. look here, who has leaked?'
angrfly exclaimed Darling. 7 was
sure no one kns OF that but myself
and one OF my men who happened to
see them together"
The Washington times., 1908-08-09
Theory of Clarke.

Here is the case. Or. Smith did not
commit that murder. There was no
more surprised person in the lodge
room when the pistol went of. He
gave himself up for two reasons. First
TO shield the woman he loves and
whom he believes TO be guilty. Sec
ond. he feels that he is technically
guilty because his hand did the act,
and his mind has exulted over t.