The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-10-10

breaking and Others suffered misery
to which cruel, elusive death refused
its supreme s0lace.
She waited In the cab whilst sir
Thomas Ryder went IN 10 see the doc
tor. Fortunately, the latter was at
home. and able to see Sir Thomas.
At first he was obdurate. Nothing
that the high officer OF the police could
say would move his medical dictum.
Lord Radclyffe was too I'll TO see any
one. He was hardly conscious. His
brain was working very feebiy. He
had not spoken for two days. for
speech was difficult.
IF" said Dr. Newington in his
habttuAl pompons manner, The had the
least inkling now, that that favorfte
nephew OF his was guilty az this aw-
ful murder, why, my dear SIR, I
wouldn't answer for the consequences.
I believe the feeble bit Of life in him
would 20 out like a candle that's been
"Who talks retorted Sir Thomas
somewhat impatiently, and assuming a
manner at least as pompous es that
OF the fashionable physician, 'iof LETT
ting Lord Radcliffe know anything
about his nephew's position? I don't.
have no such Intention. But de
Mountford's plight is a very serious
one. There are n or two points
about his former life that Lord Rad
clyffe could elucidate if he viii. / want
your permission to ask him two or
three questions. Hang IL all, man, de
Mountford's life 81 In danger! I don't
me In this. You take a most awful
responsibility upon your shoulders"
"A medical man" said DR.. NeWing-
ton vaguely, has to take upon him.
self certain grave responsibilities some
times"
GIv..
this. You must at least give me the
chance of i~nterrogating Lord Rad
clyffe. Surprising he knows something
that may throw light on this awful
AFFAIR, something hat may 20 to prove
de Monntford's innocence or guilt
either way-and suppose that owing to
your prohibitions, all knowledge of his
nephew's fate Is kept. from him until
II is too late, until de Mountford Is
h~anged--for he risks hanging, doctor,
let me tell You that-suppose that you
have stood In the way, when some
simple explanation from your patient
might have saved him! What then?'.
Blu the patient Is too III, 1 tell you.
He wouldn't understand you, probably.
questions
The Doctors original pompous man
ner had left him somewhat. He was
now more like an obstinate. man, ar
gutng, than like a medical man whose
announcements must be final. Sir
Thomas Ryder-one of the keenest men
to note such subtle changes in another
--saw that he had gained an adyan-
tage. He was quick enough to press
1t home.
"Let me try at all events" he said.
The whole matter Is OF such enor-
nous Importance. After all, doctor, Il
is a question of one human life against
the other. With regard to de Mount
ford, let me tell you that unless we
a get some very definite proof as
to his innocence, it is bound to go hard
with him. Say that a few weeks hence
Lord Radclyffe, recovering from this
severe illness, Is confronted with the
news that his nephew is being tried for
murder, or that he has been com
demned-I won't even mention the
hnal awful possibility--do you think
that you or any one will save the
old mans life then. or his reason per-
haps?"
DR.. Newington was silent for awhile,
Clearly he was ready TO give way. Like
most men who outwardlv are very
pompous and dictatorial, his clustering
was only veneer. The strong will pow.
er of a more determined intellect very
soon reduced him to compliance. And
all that Sir Thomas Ryder said was
logical. It carried a great deal of con-
yiction.
very we'll" said the doctor at
last, I'll give you permission to In
teryiew my patient. But on two con-
What are they?'
"That the interview takes place in
my presence, and that at the first
word from me, you cease questioning
my patient, and leave his ROOM
Very we'll" assented Sir Thomas,
without any hesitation, content that
he had gained his point, and quite sat
isfied that the two conditions were per-
fectly reasonable and such that the
doctor vas really compelled to impose.
II must tell you hat I came to see
you tonight at the instance of my
niece, Louisa Harris, who was fiapce
to de Mountford before this unfortu-
nate business. 1t was she who adduced
certain arguments which she placed
before me, and which led to my strong
desire to question Lord Radcliffe to-
night, before de Mountford is brought
up before the magistrate tomorrow.
She Is down below In the cab, watt
ing for me-"
II cannot allow her to see my pa
tent also protested the doctor
quickly.
mo, no. She shall not see him, un-
less o give permission"
why don't you send her home right
away, then?"
Because" retorted Sir Thomas
tartly, you might rive that permits
sion, you see." |