The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1916-02-17

summoned into his chiefs office, he
was not little startled on perceiv-
ing that his superior was closeted
with the very man of whom he had
been thinking as he walked along the
hall from one room to the other.
1t was not SO singular that this par
dcular man should have been occupy
ing his thoughts as that he should
have been present at the moment.
He was one of the city's foremost physi-
clans, and had never been in the Suth-
erland offices before. But at the very
instant that Hazards chief called him
on the office telephone he and his fell
low operative, Miss Helen Bertel, were
discussing a case which affected the
physician, the newspaper accounts OF
which presented some uncommon, not
to say sensational, features. 1t was
these uncommon features that had
attracted his and Miss Berters profess
Sional interest-as, indeed, a great
many newspaper stories did, SO that
they were frequently together in one
or the others private room.
Hazards surprise, however, was but
momentary; he reflected at once that
it must be this same case that had
brought the well-known physician to
the Sutherlands. Such, as a matter
of fact, proved to be the case.
Doctor Hendrix" said the chief,
this is Mr. Felix Hazard, of whom
l was speaking; just tell him all the
facts, then we will decide how best to
act"
Doctor Hendrix, a dignified man,
well along In the sixties, wore wor-
ried, harassed look; but the manner
with which he shook hands with Haz-
ard was cordial, and his unmistakable
force of character at once prepos-
sessed the detective in his favor.
But before the doctor had time to
begin his recital the chief added: by
the way, we might as well have Miss
Bertel in, and let her hear the story,
too; we may need her help"
So Helen Bertel was sent for, and
Doctor Hendrix addressed Hazard
Have you read the published ac-
counts of Mrs. Francis Forsythe's
death?" he asked.
The detective nodded, adding: Just
to save time and needless repetitions,
I will tell you briefly just how much
Miss Bertel and know about 1t. Be-
sides, I want to check up the allega-
lions the newspapers have made,
"On the morning of May 16-three
days ago-at about $3.50, Captain For
sythe sent an urgent call for you to
come Immediately to his residence in
South Edgelake. declaring that he be
lieved hi wife2so be II a. dvinA .eondi
tion. twesS' delayed and &c wi
nearly sven before you arrived VI
the house, only to learn that Mrs. For
sythe had been dead two hours. Or
In other words. she died 80 minutes
after her husband phoned.
Yesterday 1t developed that Mrs
Forsythe's life was heavily insured
that is, for married woman. There
are three policies: One for 5000, 6
second for 81, 100 and third for $16,
900, making a total of $4,000. The
first two are payable to her estate;
which, l presume, as there are ne
children, means her husband.
THE third, and largest, however, il
in your favor-$16,000.
these particulars, believe, covel
everything that has been given to the
public through the columns of the
press"
When the speaker had finished, Doc
tor Hendrix nodded.
THAT about covers the case as the
public knows it," said he, land the
facts are true as far as they go. Yor
see, trust, how they reflect not alone
upon my reputation as physician
but actually stigmatize me with the
preparation of a crime. don't know
all the truth myself; that's where
want your help, because believe my
name can be cleared only by unearth
ing every detail bearing on the case.
But l do know more than the pub
lie has as yet found out. For exam
pie, the poison that caused her deatf
was strophanthus.
Hazard eyes narrowed as he re
garded the speaker.
"Strophanthus," he soberly repeat
ed. Nobody but physician would
be likely to have access to drug Sc
deadly"
THAT is true. Besides, 1t is one un
familiar to the laity. So dangerou:
and uncertain is its action that it cal
be prescribed only with the creates
caution, and when the diagnosis indu
bitably indicates that it Is required
1t sometimes is used instead of digital
is in certain affections of the heart
when it would not be safe or advisa
BILE to prescribe the latter drug. l ad
ministered strophanthus to Mrs. For
sythe only the night before hei
death"
Hazard gave him queer look.
Administered it, you say?" ht
caught at the word. You mean tina
you did not trust to a written prescrip
tion?'
Precisely. The dose had to be de
termined by a careful examination a
the time it was taken. Mr.. Hazard,
will stake my reputation as physician
that the strophanthus l gave Mrs. For
sythe did not cause her death" Doctor
Hendrix solemnly and earnestly
averred.
For some moments Hazard sat quie
and thoughtful, then once more fixing
his regard on the physician he asked;
IF Mrs. Fcrsythe was afflicted witt
heart disease, how did she obtain Sc
much life nlrrance?"
Tho doo+or,c auas Iiobtod with s