River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-03-01

you understand. this billet. ana. the
outer envelope being very heavily
stamped, that below retained the i'm
press Of the postmark."
Poor T.erouxr' said Cllmberly again,
with suppressed emotion. THAT un-
suSpecting. kindly soul has been dra WI
into the meshes of this conspiracy.
How they have been wound around
him until
lie knows The truth about his
wife" asked Max suddenly CHANGING
up at the pfysicinn-"tha she is not in
I'ariS?"
Il myself broke the painful news to
him." replied Cumlerly. after a con
sultation with Miss Ryland and my
daughter considered ii my duty to
tell him. but | cannot disguise from
myself that it FASTENED, if it it did not
directly occasion. his breakdown"
Yes. yes said Max I'VE have
been very fortunate. however. In di
yerting the attention Of the press from
the absence of Mrs. T.erouz throughout
this time. Nom dun nom! Had they
got to know about the scrap OF paper
found in the dead wOman's hand
fear that this would have been i'm
possible
Il do not doubt that it would have
been impossible. knowing the London
press" replied DR.. Cumberly. but |.
too, am glad that it has been achieved
for in the light Of your Paris discOv
cries | begin at last to understand"
You were not Mrs Lerouxs medical
advjser?"
Il was not" replied Cumberly
glancing sharply at Max. Good heav.
ems: TO think that had never re
allied the TRUTH
1T is not so wonderful at all. OF
course. as | have seen from the evi
dence which you gave to the police,
you knew that Mrs. Vernon was ad
dicted to the use of opium?'
1T was perfectly evident" replied
Cumberly. painfully evident. | will
not go into particulars. but her entire
constitution was undermined by the
habit. may add. however. that
did not associate the vice with her vio
lent end, except
"Ah" interrupted Max. shaking bis
finger at the physician. You are OF
opinion that the injection in Mrs. Yer
mons shoulder, which could not have
been self administered"-
"She was not addicted to the use OF
The needle interrupted Cumberly.
she was an opium smoker"
Quite so. quite So said Max. 1T
makes the point all the more clear
You are Of opinion that this injection
was made at least eight hours before
the woman's death?"
AT least eight hours. yes
"Eh bien!' said Max. And have you
had extensive experience Of such in
jections?"
DR.. Cumberly stared at him in some
surprise.
In general way" he said. "a fair
lumber Of such cases have come un,
Ter my notice. but 1t chances that one
# my patients. regular patient. is
addicted to the vice"
'Injections?'
"Only as a makeshift. He has peri
odical bouts OF opium smoking. what
may term deliberate debauches."
ABR Max was keenly interested
This patient is a member Of good so
ciety?"
Hes a member Of parliament" re-
Piled Cumberly. a faint humorous CLINT
creeping into his gray eyes. but. OF
course. that is not an answer TO your
question Yes. he is Of All old family
and is engaged to the daughter OF q
peer"
"Dr. Cumberly," said Max. lin a
case like the present. apart from the
fact that the happiness-pardieu, the
Iife-of one of your own friends is in.
volved should you count it breach OF
professional etiquette to divulge the
name Of that patient?"
1t was disturbing question. a mo
mentous question for a fashionable
physician to be called upon to answer
thus suddenly. DR.. Cumberly. who