Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-03-24

Just remember this. Whatever hap.
pens do not intend trouble to come
to Miss Stamier. You tell the truth
if this inquest comes off and leave
the rest to me-"
1t was a small but very distinguish
ed company of Norfolk notabilities
who were gathered together two days
late in the private coffee room of the
old-fashioned "Crown and Anchor
Hotel" at Aylsham. Matresser and
Mr.. Phillips Poulteney of the firm OF
Fellowes, Son & Poulteney, Coroner
for the district were seated at one end
of the long table exchanging con-
fidences. The room in which they
were holding their impromptu meeting
was a private one and the door was
locked. Poulteney rose to his feet
and moved to the hearthrug.
81 can assure you gentlemen" he
said, have been Coroner for this
ditrict during twenty-seven years and
my father before me nearly thirty,
and l have never known such a hap
pening."
"You had some intimation, I sup
pose?" Bemrose asekd. !.
"This much" the Coroner explain
ed. 81 had a telephone message from
the Home Secretary instructing me
not to open the inquest until I re-
ceived a written communication from
him which was on its way. Also with
the instructions there would be per-
son who would be able to identify the
-er-the deceased. Naturally I had
to act upon this and keep you gentle
men all waiting"
The Coroner continued, "This Cap
tain Fergus, who was able to identify
the deceased as his brother, turned
up a quarter of an hour before the
time and he brought me instructions
which were signed by the Home Sec
rotary himself. I was practically for
hidden to ask any qestions but Cap
tain Fergus has since told me that he
has seen very little of the deceased
for the last few years but understood
he had some minor government post.
"He was Kings Messenger before
the war;" Matresser volunteered. II
came across him once, think, in some
outlandish place but I must admit that
I should never have recognized him. "
"Well, you all know what happen
ed" the Coroner went on, setting
down his tankard and filling his pipe.
"My instructions were to take DR.,
Ridgeway's evidence as to the cause
of death, and Captain Fergus evil
dence of notification, to swear no
other witness, to ask the jury for their
verdict and close the Court. That
did. We know the deceased's name
was Phillip Boyd Fergus, that he was
about fifty-six years of age, and his
present. place Of residence the Cavalry
Club. We have medical evidence from
DIR. Rodgeway, who certainly does not
beat about the bush, that he found
that death was caused by powerful
administration of deadly poison in
jected hypodermically. On those two
statements I was instructed without
comment to ask the jury for verdict.
Naturally I received one and the only
possible against some person
or persons unlnown-but even the 10
cal policeman was not allowed to en-
ter the box. Further investigations
are to be conducted by Scotland Yard
men who arrive at five o'clock tonight.
At the last minute the Home Secre-
tary does put in an addendum to the
effect that they will work with the
local constabulary."
cts rum business" Bemrose de-
clared. Something behind it ALL"
"Talk about thrillers," General
Hamilton put in. "Did you ever hear
of anything to beat this? Local Cor
oner puzzled. County Police paralyzed
A man of good position murdered in
the most mysterious and inexplicable
way. Apparently London knows al
about it but down here on the spot
we know nothing. I call it rather
rough on the poor little; doctor who
played the good Samaritan"
"What do you think of it yourself
Matresser?" Bemrose asked.
"My dear fellow, / haven't thu
faintest idea what to think of it,
Matresser assured him. 'It seems tx
be the general opinion that Fergu;
was on his way to my home, but what
he wanted with me I don't know.
have done one or two odd jobs" hi
L. ~