The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1908-12-02
Master Mind Solves One of the QueereSt of Crimes.


We'll, Mr. Clarke, what do you
think by this time?" ventured.
Here is the case. DR.. 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 it.
Wilbur Paget, the drug clerk, might
have committed the murder. He has
for several years been desperately and
hopelessly in love with Mrs. Williams.
and has cherished a secret hatred for
her husband. Thus the motive was
there. The only reason he is not guilty
is that the idea did not occur to him.
I will show you the opportunity later.
Her motive was double one. She suf-
fered in silence the constant abuse Of
drunken husband. She loved an
other. Thus she had the strongest
motive which can actuate woman
to murder, the desire to rid herself of
a man who was running her life and
to be free to marry 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 DR.. Will
liams was out. Common courtesy de-
manded that the wife ask DR.. Smith
into the house, even had her heart
not prompted her to snatch every mo.
ment with him that she could.
Now for the opportunity. When
DR.. Smith left the house he did not
take the powder with him. Whether
it was connivance, intent or merely
Observation-Disclosures I cannot say, but
incline toward the latter. At any rate
the imitation powder was in the pos
session of Mrs. Williams for some
little time. She knew it's purpose"
mo, no, you are all wrong" I ex-
claimed. II would have to lose all my
faith in womankind before I could
credit it. I would rather believe it of
the DOCTOR"
After breakfasting the next morning
tative appointment with Mrs Will
Jams.
Mrs. Williams" he began In his
whirlwind fashion, II will ask you
what passed between yourself and DR..
Smith at the early morning meeting
you had with him yesterday. Wait a
minute. Is it not fact that DR..
Smith called you to the back door be-
fore the neighbors were up and while
the watchers were all in the front part
Of the house with the body, and con
fessed to you that he had executed
the fatal change in the powders?"
did DR.. Smith tell you that?" she
asked in q tense voice, while she con
vulsively clasped and unclasped hel
hands.
Or. Smith has told me nothing. II
, is fact, is 1t not?'
EYES,"
But despite his confession to yor
to the police, you believe him to be
innocent?"
90, sir, more than believe l know
he is innocent"
"How do you know it," snapped
Clarke, with his eyes riveted upon tn,
frail bit Of femininity before him.
II know t-because-because
changed the powders"
a Mrs. Williams, why do you, VIII
are not of a caste given to falsehood
n deliberately tell me what know to b
y untrue? DR.. Smith would not ask thi
n sacrifice at your hands. He is limo
II cent, and his innocence alone will saw
him."
r. She cried, appealingly:
It 20. I will save him! You shall nc
prevent me! Even though he be guilt
h l will save him. Mine was the frs
d guilt. Prove that he is innocent, an
Al l will thank you with my whole lif'
If you cannot, d. not stand in m
70 way, for I am tho guilty one and O
e. my head alone should the punishmer
e fall. You have dragged out m
a. secret and made me lay my heart ope
n. before you who are strangers. Do n.
70 betray me bus let me work this pro
lclll OuI III oWA way bC6 VI W
- gentlemen"
"a Just then the telephone bell rar
violently.
ve Answer 1t, II you please, Mr.. Sc
ne tom said tho woman, who seemed tt
he weak to rise.
Nv went to the telephone.
ar. Coroner has arrived. Inquest is b
ginning. Mrs. Williams wanted at on
w. at the court house."
re-. l turned and gave the message W
ar batim.
H. With hurried promise to keep o
as counsel let Mrs. Williams take h
* own course, but to do all in our pow
ed What 10 you thiak Of It. Clarke
ch l asked.