Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 14.pdf/67

 40

of four and a fraction grains, while an equivalent amount of the compound was placed on the other. Each capsule was again weighed when rilled. A direction to take before retiring was, by order of Harris, written upon the box cover. We have described the process employed in some detail as it completely disproves any claim that death resulted through a drug gist's mistake. The criminal took the capsules home and removed the mixture contained in one, sub stituting in its place pure sulphate of mor phine, to the amount of at least five grains, a perfectly frightful quantity when it is con sidered that half that amount is a lethal dose. This deadly pill he replaced in the box. The ease with which the fraud could be perpe trated is apparent when we consider that both morphine and quinine are white in color. Two of the remaining capsules he kept in his own possession. On the afternoon of the next day a re ception was given at the Comstock School. Harris had been introduced to Miss Day, the principal, as a friend of the family. He had, therefore, no difficulty in obtaining an inter view with Helen. He then delivered to her the box containing four capsules. The girl had been complaining of headache and in somnia, and he had promised to bring her a remedy. On the next day the criminal started for Old Point Comfort, Va., where he remained a week. On the day after his departure Helen wrote, saying that so far from relieving her headache the medicine had made it worse, and Harris answered from Fortress Monroe advising her to continue taking it by all means. It was safe to assume that the deadly pill would not be taken last, so»that there would be one or more left for analysis when the question as to Helen's death would be pre sented. As only a harmless mixture would be found, it would be assumed that natural causes were responsible. Then, again, the direction to take before retiring would insure

her passing away in sleep, with no oppor tunity on the part of a physician to observe the symptoms. It was certainly more than probable that her death would be set down to heart disease. Harris being away at the time, no one would think of connecting him with the catastrophe. Truly a cold-blooded plan, worthy of its callous inventor. It was not destined, however, to succeed. "But wdien we in our viciousness grow hard, (O misery on't) the wise gods seal our eyes; In our own filth, drop our clear judgments; Adore make our errors: us laugh at us while wTe strut To our confusion." By an almost inconceivable chance the three harmless pills were taken first. On Saturday, January 31, Harris called upon his wife. What frightful self-questionings must have struggled within him for utterance. Did she suspect aught, else why had the poison not taken effect? One pill remained. A last opportunity was presented to save the woman who had sacrificed all for him—pre sented only to be cast aside without a single regret. Mrs. Potts happened to be present and the three went shopping. Returning to the school, mother and daughter, after luncheon, went to the latter's room. In idly looking over the contents of her bureau Helen per ceived the pill-box. and told her mother that she had been taking some capsules which Carl had brought, and that they made her feel ill. "In fact," she added, laughingly, "I am tempted to toss the last one out of the window, and tell Miss Day I've taken it." It is a ghastly incident for the mother to re member, that she advised Helen to continue, urging that quinine was very apt to make one feel wretched, reminding her that her father, for instance, was peculiarly susceptible to its effects. The girl spent the evening reading and conversing with Miss Day in the school sitting-room. Her room-mates, Misses Car son, Cookson and Rockwell, were at a