Part 15 (1/2)

”Well,” said Knox, ”there are more cases of death by poisoning than you would suppose. Now, there was a case in this town, only a short time ago, in which I think that poison was used.”

”Oh! you mean Mrs. Pattmore,” said Green. ”Yes, that was a very suspicious affair. Was anything done about it?”

”No,” replied Knox; ”but every one, who knows anything about the circ.u.mstances of her death, believes that she was poisoned.”

My men were soon surrounded by an excited crowd, all of whom were anxious to know the grounds upon which their suspicions were based. They replied in vague terms and insinuations, as if they knew a great deal more than they would tell. The news that Mr. Pattmore was suspected of having poisoned his wife, was soon buzzed all through the Clarendon House; and, as soon as the excitement had become general, my men slipped away and joined me in my room.

Sheriff Tomlinson was immediately appealed to by many citizens to require the coroner to investigate the matter, and he finally went to the coroner's office, accompanied by quite a crowd. When the coroner was informed of the reports in circulation, he became quite indignant.

”What! _Pattmore poison his wife!_” he exclaimed. ”Why, he fairly doted on her, and, since her death, he can hardly a.s.suage his grief. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word, and his character ought to be a sufficient protection against so gross a slander. This is a contemptible invention of his political opponents. I will soon vindicate him, however. I shall have Mrs. Pattmore's body exhumed, and shall call an inquest. Then, if any one has any charges to make, there will be an opportunity for them to come forward. I will not consent to see a friend of mine so vilely slandered.”

Coroner Van Valkenburgh immediately wrote an order to have Mrs.

Pattmore's body disinterred, and, also, a call for an inquest the following day. He had become very indignant at the idea of connecting his friend, Pattmore, with such a hideous crime: he, therefore, hurried over to tell Pattmore of the rumors, and of the prompt measures he had taken to prove their falsity. He drew Pattmore into a private room and told him all that he had heard and done. He expected that Pattmore would thank him heartily for his friendly action; but, instead, Pattmore's face turned very white, and he asked who it was that had spread the rumors. The coroner said that the sheriff and several prominent citizens had called upon him to investigate the rumors that were circulating at the hotels and on the street. Pattmore became very much excited when he heard this, and paced up and down in a nervous, irritable manner.

”Well,” said Van Valkenburgh, ”I will have the body exhumed to-morrow, and when we have disproved the calumny, this scheme of your enemies will do you more good than harm.”

”Yes,” said Pattmore; ”but my love for my wife is far above all other considerations. It is shocking to think that her body must be torn from the grave to refute the vile slanders of my political opponents. I do not know what course you usually pursue in such cases, but I would not, for the world, have her remains exposed to the gaze of a cruel, heartless crowd of strangers.”

Mr. Pattmore's feelings quite overcame him, at the thought of such desecration, and he wept.

”I'll take care of that,” said the sympathizing coroner; ”I will have Dr. Forsythe make the examination, and his testimony will be sufficient for the jury.”

”Well, I shall be satisfied with any arrangements you may make,” said Pattmore. ”I hope a good jury will be summoned; I do not wish my wife's body to be examined by a lot of curiosity seekers.”

”Your wishes shall be attended to,” replied the coroner. ”I know who are your friends and I will summon no one else to sit on the jury.”

”Van Valkenburgh,” exclaimed Pattmore, seizing the coroner's hand, ”I am your friend for life!”

He then led the way to the bar-room and invited the coroner to drink.

Miller was standing in the bar-room as the coroner and Pattmore pa.s.sed, and noticing a haggard, pallid expression on the latter's face, he stepped up and said:

”Why, what's the matter Pattmore? Has anything gone wrong with you?”

”No, Mr. Miller, nothing very serious. Some of my enemies have started a story that I am responsible for my wife's death; but, of course, there is not a word of truth in it. The coroner has taken the matter in charge, and his verdict will soon set at rest these scandalous lies.

There is nothing too sacred for these political harpies and ghouls: they literally have dragged the loved dead from the grave in the hope of injuring my reputation. Well, time will show my innocence.”

So saying, Pattmore pressed Miller's hand warmly, as if overcome with emotion, and pa.s.sed into the office. Mr. Green and Mr. Knox were watching him, and when he went up stairs, he was followed by Knox, who saw him go into his room. Knox immediately came down stairs and pa.s.sed across the street to a corner where I had agreed to wait for him. Having heard his report I said:

”Mr. Knox, you are a stranger here, so you had better go back to see what Pattmore is doing. You can stumble into his room, as if you had mistaken it for your own. Be quick!” I added, as he started, ”for we must keep watch of him every minute until the inquest has been held.”

”Knox rushed into the hotel, ran up stairs and hastily entered Pattmore's room, where he found Pattmore writing a letter.

”Oh! I beg pardon,” said Knox, ”I have mistaken the room,” and so saying, he withdrew and returned to me.

”So he is writing a letter, is he?” said I. ”We must learn the contents of that letter, and I have not a minute to lose. Knox, find Green and Miller and bring them over here at once. Thank goodness, it is getting so dark that we shall not be noticed.”

Knox was off like a shot, and in a very few minutes all my men were with me.