The Warwickshire Herald. — 1895-11-28 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

CHAPTER XXII.  Mi. Grimes, the Weartnn lawyer, came to an early hour on the following day. The inquest w.,s to take place during the morning, an he ears anatous to glean from her, beforehand, all the evidence that he could. 11, interviewed her with business-lika precision, an', failing to elicit much information, became rather annoyed, and put so many direct onostion4 th it Ruth gr w utterly confused. However, once assured tat she was undoubtedly the deceased's wife, he became somewhat more courteous. But he was a blunt mei, even in his most courteous moments. Perceiving, however, that it was impossible to make Ruth understand her positon, except in a vague manner, he brought the interview to a conclusion, after first giving her the strongest injunctions to be careful what she said before the coroner.  As the time for the inquest drew near, the jiirymen arrived in parties of twos and threes, looking consistently serious. It was quite evident they were fully alive to the importance of being bidden to assist in dealing out justice in such an important case. Each had heard a different version,all equally dark, of the circumstances which had attended the deceased man's tragical end; and each believed his own special version to be the correct one, no matter how monstrously improbable it was. Poor Ruth little snap ited to what extent her character had been mali .ted. The Coroner, however, was strictly unprejiiii -I, and was the last man to allow his judgme io be biased by mere hearsay. Mean tie, there was a lurking hope in Luke's ad that Dr. Merton might waver in his Opinion • a Henry Hamilton's death had resulted from poi t. But the moment the medical evidence was con .ded those ho,,e were utterly quenched. There reinaineci not the slightest doubt in the minds of those present that, not only had poison been administered, tint that it had been administered about an hour before deceased's death. Dr. Merton stated that he had found traces of aconitine, which poison was peculiarly rapid and deadly in its effects. Mr. Grimes put some questions to him, but unfortunattly these only served to elicit a strong confirmation of his previous evidence. Ruth was the next witness, but she answered every question with such marked reluctance that her evidence only served to impress the jury uir favourably. Luke's examination followed his sister's; but it only lasted a few minutes, as he emphatically stated that he had never seen the deceased before hie illness.  Next came an unexpected witness, Henry Oiles, a labourer, who lived near. He deposed to having heard unmistakable signs of an altercation at Mrs. Hamilton's cottage as he passed by on the evening in question. He moreover stated that he distinctly recognised Ruth's voice as one of the disputants. Ruth was recalled, and subjected to a long and severe re-examination about what had occurred. Once more her hesitation and reticence influenced the jury against her.  The examination had now lasted over two hours; and as all available evidence had been taken the Coroner commenced his summing up; which as it proceeded destroyed all lingering doubts in the minds of thme present that the death had been caused by poison, and that Luke Morley and Ruth Hamilton must have administered it.  The jury took only five minutes to consider their verdict—but those minutes seemed like hours to the brother and sister. Then the foreman of the jury signified that they were agreed; and the next moment the words, "Wilful murder" against Luke Morley and Huth Hamilton rang out clearly and distinctly. The Coroner hereupon committed them both for trial, and the lest int he hail ceased speaking Luke felt a hand on his shoulder, and turning round sharply he came face to face with a sergeant of police. "I arrest you," said the latter. A deadly pallor overspread Luke's face as he heard those words, hat he neither spoke nor made any sign of resistance. With the knowlcdge that he was a prisoner a leeling of helplessness stole over _ _ .  Ruth turned to go; as yet she only faintly understood her position. Before she could quit the room she, too, was arrested, "1 cannot be separated from my child! " she exc.'s imid. "Cannot Mrs. Hamilton have bail ?" asked Mr. Clement Hamilton, whose faith in his sister-inlaw's innocence was unshaken. "Not until-she has been befors a magistrate, sir," answered the sergeant. "Even then I don't think she could have it. Is a case of this kind it isn't