The Mystery of M. FelixFarjeon, B. L. (Benjamin Leopold)
General
The Mystery of M. Felix
Farjeon, B. L. (Benjamin Leopold)
Detective and mystery stories; English fiction -- 19th century
"Groundless Charge.--Mary Weston, a woman of respectable appearance,
was charged with attempting to commit suicide. Constable 382 C said
that he was on duty on the Thames Embankment last night, about twelve
o'clock, when he saw the woman standing on the stone parapet close to
Cleopatra's Needle. Drawing near to her he heard a splash in the
water, and the woman was falling forward when he seized her and pulled
her away. A gentleman in court laid hold of the woman at the same
time, and assisted him in preventing her from carrying out her
purpose. The gentleman referred to, Mr. Robert Agnold, one of the
reporters upon the _Evening Moon_, and also a properly qualified
solicitor, said he appeared for the accused, who distinctly denied
that she had any intention of committing suicide. He was himself a
witness of the occurrence, and was convinced that the constable, who
had behaved very well throughout the affair, had acted under a
mistaken impression. The magistrate asked the constable what caused
the splash? The constable replied something the accused threw into the
river. The magistrate: 'Did you see what it was?' The constable: 'No.'
Mr. Agnold: 'I should state that the accused admits throwing something
into the river, and that in the act of doing so she overbalanced
herself and so aroused the constable's suspicions. Whatever it was
that she threw away, it was her own property and presumably valueless,
and, although her action was open to an eccentric construction, it
could go no farther than that. She had a perfect right to do what she
pleased with what belonged to her.' The constable said that search had
been made for it, but it had not been found. The woman went quietly to
the station, but refused to give her address. She was not known to the
police, and there was no evidence of her having been charged before.
The magistrate, to the accused: 'Have you any trouble that urged you
to put an end to your life?' The accused, whose speech was
distinguished by great modesty and refinement: 'I have troubles, as
other people have, but none that could impel me to an act so sinful.
Nothing was farther from my thoughts than the attempt with which I am
charged. I have done no wrong.' Mr. Agnold: 'Apart from my position as
her professional adviser, I will answer for her in every way.' The
magistrate: 'She is discharged.'
"It was half-past twelve when Mrs. Weston and our reporter issued from
the police court. They walked in silence toward Leicester Square,
which, in contrast to the thronged thoroughfares immediately adjoining
it, is at this time of the day comparatively quiet. Mrs. Weston looked
around inquiringly.
"'Do you know where we are?' asked our reporter.
"'No,' she replied.
"'Then you are not well acquainted with London?'
"'Not very well.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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