The Haslingden Gazette. — 1906-03-24 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

JOHN K. LEY. iv 14, * p* Author of " Tih, I, imigar," " Dr. Beroni'o Secret,'"• A Tru,t lictrayed,'' ke. r * * *' ALL ItIGIITS 1110,14RV11D.1 * * if ' '**,,t***********************************.  Wee he in good spirits?" " Yes." was she answer; but it was given with some 1109ItaCCill. Ili` hail mine private trouble, perhaps!" •• Only about his nephew." " You mean Captain Everett?" •' Yes." The widow threw down her eyes as she %pok,i. and twisted her rings rotuld and roumk an if the were ill at ease. "Anti this annoy-aim, vintever it was—did your husband take it very much to heart?" "Olt. yes. My Itualend had no idea before that his nephew was given to gambling, and it came on him with gime a shook." Everyone present turned and looked at the tall. tnilitary-looking piling man who was standing near tho foot of the table; and everyone saw that he fluslavi aml then turned o`rr (sat, " Did Dr. Redfern litsela 143 lia/0 his nand goad spirits in consequence of that?" " Yes; he was very melancholy about it, especially at first." "Hoe long was that beton, his death" About a week." "What I mom was your husband melanclmly or nervoto in hia manner on the by before Lis death'" "N.'. net parthularly. Ile was excited in the 4,011111 g, when he told me lksptain Everett wen to siio hint that night." "Was there anything to lead you to suppose that he contemplated suicide?" "Olt, dear, no. Nothing of the kind t" exclaimed the widow, putting her handkerchief to her eyes.. "That will 4/0. Mrs. Rattan." mid the coroner. "And the phial," mid the Wilkalr. suddenly Woking up; "I thought perhaps I ought to mention it." "Do you mean the phial that contained be poisonr "Ife,. I have teen it lefore." "Inked! When?" "One night after dinner, about a month ago. wheat we' were all talking about poisons. Dr. Redfern said one had been found out lately that would kill a person in Ira!! an hour, and it would he very unlikely that anyone would find it out." A deep hush came for the would tine over the court. and Mrs. Redfern, rather gratified with the erne of producing an impression. continued: "We were all very much interested; and my husband said he would show it to Ili3o and asked Dr. Davis to fetch it." Did ho any where it walt to be found?" put in the roroaer. "Von; in the little cupboard in the surgery." " Did Dr. Davis fetch the phial?" "Ha did; and we all looked at it. I remember any hertand stein that as much of the powder as v.ottld lie on a sixpence would kill any of as. and the chances were that no ono would be a bit the wiser. It quito made an inipstasion on me at the time." " don't wonder at it. After you had examined the drug, slat. war done with it?" " lowland togged 1/r. Davis to pttt it back at,, the eapboard. and to Inch the eupboar I and bring him the key." " And was it done?" " Yes. Dr. Davis brought bark the key:* White fountf tire cuploard unlocked," remarked Mr. Walters. "Oh, any husband was very careless in hie habits. He wag always leaving places unlocked, even his When the inquest was resumed, a policeman desk, nod dm drawer where he kept hie money. I stepped forward anti produced a letter. hr. said r.emee knew any one a-travel...." had bees found isi the table at which Dr. Recife,/ "Then you think that there was nothing remarkhad been hitting when he died. It wag addressed able in the fact that the euphoard in which this I, a Dr. Smith. aud alluded to a profe-sional ca. powerful drug wag kept was found unlocked?" gagement which Dr. Redfern hail leen going to "So. But Dr. Davis could my if it was usually keep on the following day. On Dr. Smitn's name lacked grown." being called, a short, stout, elderly gentleman In "Very true. I think that will do," said the torgold apeitacles stood up. otter. "Ah! by tin' way, was it when you were in BO said he war perfectly acquainted with Or, the dining-room or the drawing•rown that your has. Reelfern's writing, and could speak to the handwrit• band showed you the .phial tontaining the, poison?" ito of the note. "We were in the tlining-reom. We had finished " du, one question. Dr. Smith," said the coroner. dinner; but we had not risen from thelable." 'ln your opinion. was Dr. Redfern a man at all "And do you remember who were at. dinner that ('holy to commit guicider evening?" " Certainly not,- said Dr. Smith, emphatically. "Only ourcelves--our own family." " And if he had thought of such a thing he never "Yourself. and Dr. Redfern. anti Dr. 'Davis?" would have written this note making an appointment " Yes. And my hushands ward. Miss Danger with me. immediately before committing ouch field, and my ton. Harvey Prescott, •ml "—Mrs. deed. He warl t,nto scrur.ulous la keeping his Redfern's eyes wandered ma the people near her it.. professicmal engagements," ii the were in search of one whose name had escapal "One morneut." ititerrosed Mr. Ball, tlic barris- her memory—" and Captain Everett." ter, who was prioent on behalf of Dr. Redfern's She greke his name as her eyes rested on him. it "you may knew Dr. Redfern in his proton, was re; if .she had pointed at him with her finger. -ions! capacity, I believe!" "1 think that will do