conversation about Mrs. Pattmore's death; having told them what
I wished them to say, I sent them in. I had previously arranged that Mr.
Tomlinson should be present. Accordingly, they took seats in the main
hall in front of the clerk's desk, near which there was a large group of
guests and citizens, and began to talk in loud tones.

"Well," said Knox, "there are more cases of death by poisoning than you
would suppose. Now, there was a case in this town, only a short time
ago, in which I think that poison was used."

"Oh! you mean Mrs. Pattmore," said Green. "Yes, that was a very
suspicious affair. Was anything done about it?"

"No," replied Knox; "but every one, who knows anything about the
circumstances of her death, believes that she was poisoned."

My men were soon surrounded by an excited crowd, all of whom were
anxious to know the grounds upon which their suspicions were based. They
replied in vague terms and insinuations, as if they knew a great deal
more than they would tell. The news that Mr. Pattmore was suspected of
having poisoned his wife, was soon buzzed all through the Clarendon
House; and, as soon as the excitement had become general, my men slipped
away and joined me in my room.

Sheriff Tomlinson was immediately appealed to by many citizens to
require the coroner to investigate the matter, and he finally went to
the coroner's office, accompanied by quite a crowd. When the coroner
was informed of the reports in circulation, he became quite indignant.

"What! _Pattmore poison his wife!_" he exclaimed. "Why, he fairly doted
on her, and, since her death, he can hardly assuage his grief. He is a
gentleman in every sense of the word, and his character ought to be a
sufficient protection against so gross a slander. This is a contemptible
invention of his political opponents. I will soon vindicate him,
however. I shall have Mrs. Pattmore's body exhumed, and shall call an
inquest. Then, if any one has any charges to make, there will be an
opportunity for them to come forward. I will not consent to see a friend
of mine so vilely slandered."

Coroner Van Valkenburgh immediately wrote an order to have Mrs.
Pattmore's body disinterred, and, also, a call for an inquest the
following day. He had become very indignant at the idea of connecting
his friend, Pattmore, with such a hideous crime: he, therefore, hurried
over to tell Pattmore of the rumors, and of the prompt measures he had
taken to prove their falsit