The Purcell Papers — Volume 2Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan
Science
The Purcell Papers — Volume 2
Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan
Fantasy fiction, English; Ireland -- Fiction
Such was the minuteness of investigation employed, that, although the
grate had contained a large fire during the night, they proceeded to
examine even the very chimney, in order to discover whether escape by
it were possible; but this attempt, too, was fruitless, for the chimney,
built in the old fashion, rose in a perfectly perpendicular line from
the hearth to a height of nearly fourteen feet above the roof, affording
in its interior scarcely the possibility of ascent, the flue being
smoothly plastered, and sloping towards the top like an inverted funnel,
promising, too, even if the summit were attained, owing to its great
height, but a precarious descent upon the sharp and steep-ridged roof;
the ashes, too, which lay in the grate, and the soot, as far as it
could be seen, were undisturbed, a circumstance almost conclusive of the
question.
Sir Arthur was of course examined; his evidence was given with clearness
and unreserve, which seemed calculated to silence all suspicion.
He stated that, up to the day and night immediately preceding the
catastrophe, he had lost to a heavy amount, but that, at their last
sitting, he had not only won back his original loss, but upwards of
four thousand pounds in addition; in evidence of which he produced
an acknowledgment of debt to that amount in the handwriting of the
deceased, and bearing the date of the fatal night. He had mentioned
the circumstance to his lady, and in presence of some of the domestics;
which statement was supported by THEIR respective evidence.
One of the jury shrewdly observed, that the circumstance of Mr.
Tisdall's having sustained so heavy a loss might have suggested to some
ill-minded persons accidentally hearing it, the plan of robbing him,
after having murdered him in such a manner as might make it appear that
he had committed suicide; a supposition which was strongly supported
by the razors having been found thus displaced, and removed from their
case. Two persons had probably been engaged in the attempt, one watching
by the sleeping man, and ready to strike him in case of his awakening
suddenly, while the other was procuring the razors and employed in
inflicting the fatal gash, so as to make it appear to have been the act
of the murdered man himself. It was said that while the juror was making
this suggestion Sir Arthur changed colour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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