The Green Forest tribune., 1908-12-04

lne QuIeL dS We Heeu IL. Ou l1e afternoon of the initiation he had made up a quantity. Doc Smith dropped into the store about half-past five, and Paget gave him the powder wrapped up in a package. As far as I can find out nobody but Paget and Doc. handled it or saw it.
 Don't you suppose the c1andestine 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 MT Oar ling" answered Clarke. Tt 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 I trust you will pardon my lucky stroke and give us your full confidence"
 Clarke's good humor seemed par italy to mollify the angry officer, but I could see that the shot ranked.
 When we entered his cell Dr. Smith was seated upon the board which did duty as bed. He was quite my ideal type of a typical physician
 During the conversation I could see the eyes of the doctor constantly re- verting to those of Clarke as if he found there some irresistible fascina- tion Then Clarke suddenly broke in
 Whom are you shielding?" he cried
 No one" fairly shouted the doctor. ''Who are you that you should come here to catechise me?'
 "We 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- tion 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 a small purchase which Mrs Williams had ordered by tele- phone, asking him to leave it at Dr. Williams home, which he must pass on the way to his own.
 Well, MT. Clarke, what do you think by this time?" I 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 off. 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 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. l will show you the opportunity later. Her motive was double one She suf- fered in silence the constant abuse of a drunken husband. She loved an other. Thus she had the strongest motive which can actuate woman to murder, the desire to rid herself of 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 Hams 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 absent-mindedness I cannot say, but I 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"
 No, no, you are all wrong," I ex- claimed. T would have to lose all my faith in womankind before I could credit it. l would rather believe it of the doctor"
 After breakfasting the next morning Clarke and I set out to fulfill our ten tative appointment with Mrs. Will jams.
 Mrs. Williams" he began in his whirlwind fashion, q 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 a tense voice, while she con vulsively clasped and unclasped hel hands.
 Dr. Smith has told me nothing. Il is fact, is it not?"
 Yes"
 But despite his confession to yor and the fact that he gave himself III to the police, you believe him to be innocent?"
 70, sir, more than believe know he is innocent"