Samuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A Mystery
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CHAPTER XLVI.
"THE LITTLE BUSY BEE'S" REPORT OF THE CONTINUATION OF THE INQUEST.
The inquiry into the death of Mr. Samuel Boyd was resumed at theCoroner's Court in Bishop Street this morning before Mr. John Kent.Long before eleven o'clock the usual crowd of persons had gatheredround the doors, but so numerous had been the application for seatsfrom privileged and influential quarters that very few of the generalpublic succeeded in gaining admittance. Intense as has been theinterest evinced in this extraordinary case, the startling andunexpected revelations made by witnesses who have voluntarily comeforward to give evidence have raised it to a level reached by no othermurder mystery in our remembrance. It would be idle to deny that theevidence of the last witness examined yesterday has given asignificant turn to the proceedings.
So far as we have been able to ascertain, the police have obtained noclue to the man who personated Samuel Boyd and who so successfullyimposed upon Lady Wharton in Bournemouth. We understand that it is theintention of her ladyship's advisers to offer a substantial reward forthe recovery of her jewels, and a list of them, with detaileddescriptions, has been sent to every pawnbroker in the kingdom. Tothis course we ourselves see no objection, although we are aware thatmany of the Scotland Yard officials are strongly of the opinion thatthe offer of a reward in such cases only serves to put the guiltyparties more carefully on their guard. For the same reason they mayobject to the bills that are now being posted in London offeringrewards for the discovery and conviction of the murderer or murderers,and for the discovery of Abel Death, of whom no news whatever is asyet forthcoming. The bills are appropriately headed "In the Cause ofJustice," and it is to be hoped that they will assist the cause ofjustice. We make no comment upon the circumstance that Mr. ReginaldBoyd, at whose instance this step has been taken, has made himselfresponsible for the payment of AL500 in the one case and AL200 in theother. The argument that it will stimulate persons to recallapparently insignificant details in connection with the movements ofthe guilty parties, and to make them public, is sound, for importantresults have been known to spring from the revelation of details whichin ordinary circumstances would be considered too trivial to mention.In the course of the next few days further developments may beexpected.
It was understood that this morning's proceedings would be opened withthe examination of Mrs. Abel Death, but before she was called Mr.Reginald Boyd rose and addressed the Coroner.
Mr. Reginald Boyd: "I ask permission to say a few words."
The Coroner: "You have already been examined, Mr. Boyd, and I amdesirous not to subject the jury to the inconvenience arising from aninquiry unduly protracted."
Mr. Reginald Boyd: "I can assure you, Mr. Coroner, and you, gentlemenof the jury, that I do not wish to waste your time, but you must seethat what has transpired in the course of this inquiry affects me mostdeeply. In common justice I ask to be heard."
The Juror: "Let us hear what Mr. Reginald Boyd has to say."
The Coroner: "I am in your hands, gentlemen."
Mr. Reginald Boyd: "After the evidence given by Dr. Pye--or rather Ishould say, after the statement he has made affecting myself--mydesire is to declare even more positively than I did yesterday that Ireached my lodgings on Friday night within a few minutes of midnight,that I went to bed, and did not arise from it for a week inconsequence of my illness. I fear that it is not in my power to offercorroborative evidence. My landlady and her servant went to bed, Iunderstand, between ten and eleven o'clock, and have no recollectionof hearing anybody come into the house after they retired. It is mymisfortune, also, that I was the only lodger in the house. I letmyself in with my latchkey. I have no remembrance of meeting withanyone nor of speaking to anyone, but I can swear to the time becauseI looked at my watch, and wound it up in my bedroom."
The Coroner: "Very well. Perhaps you had better not say anythingmore."
Mr. Reginald Boyd: "Why not, Mr. Coroner? I desire it to be widelyknown that I court the fullest and most searching inquiry. I cannotavoid seeing that Dr. Pye's statement that the man he saw bore astriking resemblance to myself throws a grave suspicion upon me. I donot impugn his evidence, but I contend that it is only fair that equalconsideration should be given to my statement as to his. I willendeavour to make myself clearer. I affirm upon my oath that I was inmy bed within a few minutes of midnight, and did not leave it again.Dr. Pye affirms that three hours afterwards he saw a person resemblingme leave my father's house in a suspicious manner. To the truth of mystatement I can bring forward no witnesses. Can Dr. Pye bring forwardany witnesses to the truth of his? If uncorroborated evidence given byme is open to doubt, so should uncorroborated evidence given by him beviewed. A man's honour--to say nothing of a son's innocence or guiltof so awful a crime as the murder of his father--is not to be judgedby a stranger's unsupported word. In the sacred name of justice Iprotest against it."
These words, spoken with manliness and deep emotion, made a markedimpression upon the audience, which was deepened when they turned tothe glowing face of the witness's wife. A murmur of sympathy ranthrough the Court.
The Juror (referring to his notes): "But in your account of theincidents of that night you informed us that you could not depend uponyour memory. Quoting your own words: 'I was deeply agitated, and mymind was in confusion. The fever from which I immediately afterwardssuffered, and which kept me to my bed several days, may have been uponme then.' Do you adhere to that?"
Mr. Reginald Boyd: "I do. In describing my condition my endeavour wasto speak the honest truth, and to offer no excuse which could not beaccepted by an impartial mind, nor to take advantage of any. But thatdoes not affect my distinct recollection as to the time I wound up mywatch in my bedroom."
The Juror: "We must not, however, lose sight of the fact that nosuspicion attaches to Dr. Pye, and that it is not his veracity that ishere in question."
Mr. Reginald Boyd (with warmth): "Is that a fair remark from one ofthe jury?"
The Coroner: "It is a most improper remark, and should not have beenmade in open Court. Call Mrs. Abel Death."