Tales of Terror and Mystery

           Suchapatchmight,however,beinthepossessionofadoctor,andtherewasnothingtoindicatethatitwasinanywayconnectedwiththecrime.

           Suspicioncouldonlyturninonedirection,andArthurMorton,theyoungsquire,wasimmediatelyarrested.Theevidenceagainsthimwascircumstantial,butdamning.Hewasdevotedtohissister,anditwasshownthatsincetherupturebetweenherandDr.Lanahehadbeenheardagainandagaintoexpresshimselfinthemostvindictivetermstowardsherformerlover.Hehad,asstated,beenseensomewhereabouteleveno’clockenteringthedoctor’sdrivewithahunting-cropinhishand.Hehadthen,accordingtothetheoryofthepolice,brokeninuponthedoctor,whoseexclamationoffearorofangerhadbeenloudenoughtoattracttheattentionofMrs.Woods.WhenMrs.Woodsdescended,Dr.Lanahadmadeuphismindtotalkitoverwithhisvisitor,andhad,therefore,senthishousekeeperbacktoherroom.Thisconversationhadlastedalongtime,hadbecomemoreandmorefiery,andhadendedbyapersonalstruggle,inwhichthedoctorlosthislife.Thefact,revealedbyapost-mortem,thathisheartwasmuchdiseased—anailmentquiteunsuspectedduringhislife—wouldmakeitpossiblethatdeathmightinhiscaseensuefrominjurieswhichwouldnotbefataltoahealthyman.ArthurMortonhadthenremovedhissister’sphotograph,andhadmadehiswayhomeward,steppingasideintothelaurelbushestoavoidMrs.Maddingatthegate.Thiswasthetheoryoftheprosecution,andthecasewhichtheypresentedwasaformidableone.