The Lost Despatch

by Natalie Sumner Lincoln

  CHAPTER XXII

  WEAVING THE WEB

  The court convened promptly at nine o'clock the next morning. The firstwitness summoned by the judge advocate was Doctor Ward. After the usualpreliminaries had been gone through with, he testified that he hadreached Mrs. Lane's boarding house five minutes after Symonds' messagehad been delivered to him. He was shown at once to Captain Lloyd'sroom.

  "I hastily examined Captain Lloyd, and found there was no hope ofresuscitating him. He had apparently been dead for some hours,"continued the doctor, in answer to a question put by the judgeadvocate. "I then turned my attention to Major Goddard, who was stilllying on the floor. There were two single beds in the room, and Symondsand I lifted the major on to his, after I had dressed his wound."

  "Kindly describe Major Goddard's condition when you first examinedhim."

  "Major Goddard lay with his head on the hearth. Apparently in fallinghe had struck the side of his head against the sharp edge of the ironfender. It had made a jagged cut, which bled profusely. The blowundoubtedly stunned him; but I think his long unconsciousness was dueto the loss of blood caused by a hemorrhage from the nose."

  "What do you think caused his fall?"

  "Possibly vertigo. The hemorrhage points to that. Major Goddard was ina weakened condition before his fall from wounds received about thehead from an explosion of an old-fashioned pistol some time inFebruary, which had blinded him."

  "Is Major Goddard totally blind?"

  "At present he is, sir."

  "Is there then a prospect of his regaining his sight?"

  "It is just possible." Ward's eyes traveled in Nancy's direction. "I donot consider his case entirely hopeless." He smiled in sympathy, as hereyes lighted with pleasure.

  The judge advocate paused to make an entry on his pad, then resumed hisexamination. "What did you do next, Doctor?"

  "I sent a note to the United States Sanitary Commission, asking them tosend me a nurse at once."

  "Did the Secret Service agent, John Symonds, speak to you of apocketbook or a despatch?"

  "He did, sir. Said that they were both missing from Captain Lloyd'scoat pocket. I helped him search the rooms for them, but could find notrace of either of them."

  "What did you do after the arrival of the provost marshal?"

  "I conferred with him about Captain Lloyd. Considering the mysterysurrounding his sudden death, we both deemed it expedient to hold anautopsy at once; so his body was removed to the city morgue."

  "Did you hold the said autopsy?"

  "I did, sir, in the presence of the coroner and Surgeon McBride. Hereis the report of the result." He searched among his papers, and handedone of the sheets to the judge advocate, who, before inserting it inhis book, read its contents aloud:

  "After a prolonged and careful examination we found no wound or mark of violence on Captain Lloyd's body; nor any trace of poison in his system. Therefore, we are obliged to believe, in the absence of any particular symptom or pathological appearance, that he died from some cause or causes to us unknown.

  "It is just possible that the last five days in the saddle without sufficient food or sleep might have produced a paralysis of the heart which left no symptom.

  "WILLIAM MCBRIDE, _Surgeon, Kalorama Hospital._ JAMES RICHARDS, M.D., _Coroner, District of Columbia._

  "_March 7th, 1865._"

  "I see that you have not signed this report, Doctor," exclaimed thejudge advocate, in surprise.

  "I did not entirely agree with my colleagues," explained Doctor Ward."I contend that the symptoms would be the same if Captain Lloyd hadbeen suffocated by some anaesthetic such as chloroform."

  "Did you detect any odor of chloroform about Captain Lloyd?"

  "No. It evaporates quickly, and the room was well ventilated bycurrents of fresh night air from the open window."

  "Did you find a bottle which might have contained chloroform anywherein Captain Lloyd's apartment?"

  "No, sir; but, then, I did not look for such a bottle until after theautopsy."

  "Could it have been removed in the interval?"

  "Possibly; but I hardly think it likely. The provost marshal had placedall the boarders and Mrs. Lane under arrest, and stationed a guardabout the house. No one could enter the captain's two rooms, except,"remembering Baker's intrusion, "the head of the Secret Service Bureau,and officers of the provost guard."

  "I have no further questions to ask you now, Doctor. Mr. Senator, willyou take the witness?"

  Warren, who had followed Ward's testimony with the closest attention,tore off a sheet from his pad, and passed it over to the judge advocateto read aloud.

  "Is it not possible that Captain Lloyd died from apoplexy, Doctor?"

  "No, Mr. Senator. I examined the brain, and found no indication ofapoplexy, although there was a slight, very slight congestionnoticeable at the base of the brain."

  Warren quickly wrote another question, and handed it to the judgeadvocate, who was busy entering his first question and its answer inhis record.

  "Symonds testified yesterday that Captain Lloyd lay in bed as ifasleep. If he had been suffocated, would not convulsions have ensued?"

  "Some muscular contractions," admitted Ward, "but not enough to throwoff the heavy quilt which Symonds told me covered his body when hefirst approached Captain Lloyd."

  Again Warren wrote another question, which the judge advocate readaloud after a moment's pause.

  "Are you willing to swear, Doctor Ward, that Captain Lloyd could notpossibly have died from natural causes?"

  "Natural causes?" echoed the doctor. "I don't catch your meaning, Mr.Senator. A man's natural state is living. It is unnatural for him todie."

  Quickly Warren's hand traveled over the paper; then he tossed the slipto the judge advocate.

  "I will amend my question," read the latter. "Do you think it possiblethat the captain died from one of the diseases of nature, such as heartfailure, and so on?"

  "No, Mr. Senator, I do not," declared Ward positively. "I am willing togo on oath that Captain Lloyd was killed by a person or personsunknown."

  Warren reddened, and bit his lip. "I have no further questions to ask,"he said abruptly.

  "Does the court desire to examine this witness?" inquired the judgeadvocate. The president replied in the negative, and Ward was thenexcused. The next witness was Coroner Richards, who stated that, in hisopinion, Captain Lloyd might have died from an attack of heart failuresuperinduced by the fatigue of five days in the saddle withinsufficient food or sleep. His testimony was corroborated by SurgeonMcBride. Warren refused to cross-examine the surgeon, and he wasexcused. He was followed on the stand by Mrs. Lane, a tall, raw-bonedwoman of middle age.

  "How long have you kept your boarding house on F Street?" asked thejudge advocate, after Mrs. Lane had been duly sworn and had answeredthe usual questions as to her full name, age, and length of residencein Washington.

  "Six years," was the brief reply. Mrs. Lane never wasted words, if shecould help it.

  "For how long a time had Captain Lloyd boarded with you?"

  "He took the rooms with me the middle of last December, but did notspend much of his time in Washington."

  "Was he a good tenant?"

  "Yes, sir," with more enthusiasm. "He was quiet, never found fault, andalways paid promptly."

  "Do you usually supply your boarders with sitting room and bedroom?"

  "Oh, no. Captain Lloyd told me he desired privacy; and, as he offeredme fair payment for the two bedrooms, I moved the bed and bureau out ofthe front room and put them in Captain Lloyd's own bedroom, because heoften had men stay nights with him. I fixed up the front room as asitting room. He had his meals served there whenever he came back intime for them; he wasn't very regular about returning for them, andspent most of his days out of the house."

  "When did Major Goddard first come to visit his
friend, Captain Lloyd?"

  "About the last of January. Captain Lloyd sent for me and asked me toget the extra bed ready, which I did," she supplemented.

  "Did you ever hear Captain Lloyd and Major Goddard quarreling?"

  "No, sir; I never did."

  "Did they seem to be on good terms _all_ the time, Mrs. Lane?" withemphasis.

  "Yes. They were the best of friends. Several of my boarders spoke to meof it. Captain Lloyd was so stand-offish and morose that they could notunderstand Major Goddard's affection for him."

  "Was Captain Lloyd on good terms with your other boarders?"

  "I believe he was. I never heard otherwise, but he did not see much ofanyone in the house."

  "Did he receive many visitors?"

  "No, sir; only members of the Secret Service, or army officers."

  "When did you last see Captain Lloyd alive?"

  "On the afternoon of March sixth. I did not know he had returned totown until he sent word by my cook that he would like a cold lunch."

  "Why did he send that message by the cook?"

  "Because I had discharged my two worthless maids that afternoon, andthe new ones I had engaged hadn't come. The cook was the only servant Ihad in the house that afternoon."

  "Did your cook carry Captain Lloyd's lunch up to him?"

  "No, I did. The cook only let him in when he returned."

  "Did Captain Lloyd look ill when you saw him that afternoon?"

  "No, indeed; only very tired. He told me he was half dead for want ofsleep and could hardly keep his eyes open."

  "Was Major Goddard with him?"

  "No, sir. Major Goddard had gone out driving before Captain Lloydreturned."

  "Did you let Major Goddard in when he got back from his drive?"

  "No, sir. Captain Lloyd had given his latch key to the major before thelatter left Winchester. So the attendant who accompanied Major Goddardused the latch key and they let themselves in that afternoon."

  "Is it your custom to give latch keys to your boarders?"

  "I don't do it usually, sir; but Captain Lloyd was in and out of thehouse at all hours."

  "Did you hear any unusual noise in Captain Lloyd's room that afternoonor night?"

  "No, sir, I did not. As I said before, the cook was the only servant inthe house, and I had to help her in the kitchen."

  "Do you know the accused?"

  "I do, sir."

  "When did you last see her and where?"

  "I saw her on the afternoon of the sixth of March when she came to myhouse to see her friend, Miss Alice Cary."

  Her words created a small sensation, and the President had to raprepeatedly for order before quiet was restored. Nancy had told Warrenin their interview on Sunday that she had been to the boarding-house,so he was prepared for the testimony, and no one could read from hisexpressionless face what he thought of the new development.

  "Did the accused see you?" asked the judge advocate.

  "She did," retorted Mrs. Lane. "I let her in."

  "Did she go into your parlor?"

  "No, sir. She came just as dinner was being served. I told her thatMiss Cary was out, but that she had left word she would be back byhalf-past five. Miss Newton seemed very anxious to see Miss Cary, so Itold her to go right to her friend's room and wait there."

  "Where is Miss Cary's room located?"

  "On the third floor, back."

  "Wasn't it unusual to send her upstairs instead of having her wait inthe parlor?"

  "No, indeed. She and Miss Cary are very intimate, and they often spendthe day together, either at my house or at Miss Metoaca Newton's."

  "Did the accused have a bundle with her?"

  "She did."

  "Was it a bottle?" eagerly. The court and spectators leaned forward tocatch the reply.

  "I couldn't tell, sir. It _seemed_ to be a box of candy."

  "What made you think that?"

  "The way her dog kept smelling at it, and then it was shaped like abox."

  "Did the dog accompany the accused into the house?"

  "He did. I don't mind Misery. He's a good dog, as dogs go, and doesn'tgive me any trouble."

  "Have you any questions to ask the witness, Mr. Senator?"

  For reply Warren handed a sheet of paper to the judge advocate who readthe two questions written on it slowly and one at a time.

  "What did Captain Lloyd eat for lunch?"

  "Let me see?" Mrs. Lane considered for a moment. "Cold bread, ham,pickles, and ginger bread--oh, and a cup of coffee."

  "Did Captain Lloyd eat very heartily?"

  "Well, he ate every scrap I sent up. Aunt Dinah brought the tray downstairs with her when she came back from telling the captain thatSymonds wished to see him. There wasn't a morsel of food left on theplates."

  "That is all," announced Warren; and at a signal from the judgeadvocate, Mrs. Lane left her chair and hastened out of the room.

  Mrs. Warren, who had come with Mrs. Bennett, was sick at heart. It wasobvious to all that her husband was fighting against heavy odds. Awhisper here, a look there, showed that every spectator in the roomthought Nancy guilty.

  Mrs. Lane's place was taken by Mrs. Lewis, a frail, old lady whosetimorous voice could hardly be heard as the judge advocate administeredthe oath to her.

  "Now, Mrs. Lewis, will you please speak louder in answering myquestions?" requested the judge advocate. "Do you board at Mrs.Lane's?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Where is your room?"

  "On the third floor, front."

  "Do you know the accused?"

  "I do." Mrs. Lewis wiped her eyes; she was easily moved to tears.

  "When did you last see her, and where?"

  "On the sixth of March, last----"

  "Go on, madam," urged the judge advocate, as her voice died away.

  "I finished my dinner--I did not stay for dessert--and went upstairs tomy room. I stopped a moment when I reached the second floor to rest--mybreath is short these days--and I saw Miss Newton coming toward me fromthe back hall----"

  "Well, what then?" impatiently.

  "I--I--know her aunt very well, and Nancy stopped to ask how I was."

  "Did she state what she was doing there?"

  "Yes, sir. She told me she was waiting for Alice Cary, and had run downthe back stairs to look for her dog, Misery, who she thought hadprobably sneaked down to the kitchen. We went upstairs together, and Iwent on to my room alone."

  "Did the accused find her dog?"

  "I reckon she did, though he wasn't in the hall then, because shortlyafter she rapped at my door to ask me to tell Alice Cary she couldn'twait any longer for her, and Misery came into my room while we weretalking."

  The judge advocate cleared his throat, and spoke impressively.

  "Did the accused have a bottle and a pocket book in her hands?"

  "I--I--can't say positively," stammered Mrs. Lewis, doubtfully. "It--itwas dark in the hall, and I am quite near-sighted."

  "How was the accused dressed when you saw her the first time?"

  "She had on her hat, but no coat. The last time I saw her she wasdressed for the street."

  "Did you notice anything unusual about the accused when you met her inthe hall?"

  "She looked excited and frightened, and very pale."

  The judge advocate smiled with satisfaction; he was piling up damagingfacts against Nancy. He signed to Warren to cross-examine the witness;but his smile changed to a frown when he read Warren's first question.

  "Will you kindly explain to this court how you could see in a dark hallthat Miss Newton 'looked excited and frightened, and very pale,' whenyou have just testified that you are too near-sighted to have seen solarge an object as a bottle or a pocket-book in Miss Newton's hands?"

  "I do-don't understand?" quavered Mrs. Lewis. The judge advocaterepeated the question with more emphasis.

  "I guess I just thought she looked excited and frightened," admittedthe confused old lady reluctantly.

 
"That is all," exclaimed Warren, and Mrs. Lewis left the chairdissolved in tears.