The New York herald., 1922-11-12
Scotland Yard Chief, Able
to Take Nourishment,
Is Improving.
FIND NO CLEW TO CRIME
Sender Believed to Be Person
Who Lacked Concrete
Motive.

Special cable to THE Nrw YORK HERALD.
CopUioht, 1922, bU THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
London. Nov. II.
Sir William Norwood, chief Of Scot
land Yard, was resting comfortably
tonight, forty-eight hours after eat
ing chocolates sent anonymously to
his office by post and containing ar
senic. He made a desperate struggle
against the poison. but he took nourish-
ment to-day and hope is entertained
for his recovery
Scotland Yard officials have made
no arrest, though they have searched
London continuously since last night.
They believe the poisoning the work
of either a lunatic or a group Of per-
sons plotting against the life Of other
citizens, and therefore have sent out
a general warning to all to avoid eat
ing food sent through the mails But
they refuse to name whom they sus-
pect, If any one.
documentary Slip"
1t was "momentary slip" OF a man
accustomed to be constantly on his
guard. when Sir William munched the
chocolates sent to his offie anonym-
ously in soiled cardboard box. The
address was in a scrawl, half print
and half script
The affair has caused a great sem
sation, not only because OF the de-
tective's grave mistake but because
Of an announcement that Scotland Yard
officials had been handicapped in
tracking the perpetrator through pre-
mature publication.
Although every avenue Of suspicion
is being followed by a big staff OF de-
tectives the outstanding theory 4. that
the chocolates were sent by an irre-
sponsible person criminally perverted.
without any concrete reason behind his
motive. 1t is admitted that little prog
ress has been made.
Near Sir Williams Birthday.
Sir Williams chocolates were ad-
dressed to him, but the package was
opened by his private secretary. Miss
Enid Drysdale. 1t is stated that 1t Is
not unusual for anonymous letters and
packages to be sent to Scotland Yard
officials. and the greatest precautions
ordinarily are observed regarding those
WHOSe udHuWritHiS Is HOC rcCOBnizeu- IL
was a coincidence. however, Sir WILL
Jams birthday being near, and there
fore. his friends say. he was not sur
prised to receive the candy. The box
was not tied with ribbons, as might
have been expected, but the detectives
suspicious were not aroused.
Inside he found several large choc-
olates Of not unusual appearance. He
took one and put in into his mouth, CIV
ing one to his secretary. She took a
small bite, but Immediately detected a
bitter taste. and told the chief. Mines
all right" he replied, and continued to
eat it.
Miss Drysdale ventured another bite,
but the bitterness was still there. and
she got rid Of 1t. Turning to the Com
missioner, she said. Don't eat It! Don't
eat IT,"
But Sir William continued to eat, and
as he swallowed the first one. ne re-
marked. Yes. that did burn my throat
a little.r But he ate two more, and
nothing more was thought OF the matter
A few hours later he felt faint. but he
did not suspect the candy. The next
day he was taken violently y
Surgeon Detects Method.
A police surgeon was summoned and
an examination Of the chocolate made
IL was found that on tho bottom of
every piece was a small square mark
showing that part of the casing had
been removed, arsenic mixed with the
cream inside. and then the plug care
fully replaced, but not so skillfully that
il could have baffled close inspection.
Sir william was taken TO the hospital.
where physicians succeeded In getting
rid OF much OF the poison, but most OF
1t had been absorbed. The commission
er's splendid physique and strong con-
stitution are given as the chief reasons
for his survival. Mis-. Drysdale was not
taken i'll.
Sir Williams friends say they cannot