Clifford Ashdown

“ I was very interested in this new development; it was not long before that I had read of insanity arising as a result of lead-poisoning. I endeavoured to calm the daughter’s fears, and promised to be as soothing as I knew with the patient. When I got into the room I could see little outward change, and Artlett greeted me very much as usual. I talked on indifferent matters as long as possible, but it was inevitable that the subject which was occupying both our minds should crop up sooner or later.
"Look here, doctor," he suddenly burst out. "I wants to speak to yer like a man. Yes, yes! ”

“ To save time, I may as well say that the symptoms pointed to chronic lead-poisoning; most people nowadays know that this is a very common disease, and a few years ago, when leaden vessels were more extensively used, it was even commoner than at present. The principal signs are chronic indigestion with a bluish line round the gums and a paralysis of the extending muscles of the forearm leading to the "drop-wrist," which is so characteristic of the disease: and all these I found present in Artlett. ”

“ Personally, I am of that not inconsiderable class in whom altitudes create a horrid sensation of fear and discomfort, and I was unable to understand why a man who appeared to enjoy so many of the good things of life should risk his neck among the gulls and precipices whose photographs covered the walls of nearly every room in the house. ”

“ I was speechless—a fact which, I afterwards learnt, had greatly impressed the patient, with whom my reputation for profound wisdom was established for all time.
Somehow or other, I managed to find my way through the village to the "Goose and Gridiron," whence the third message came. Here I saw the youth who was barman and general factotum of the little ale-house, kept by a widow. By this time I might have been excused had I regarded every ailment of the Stonewood men as a proof of lead-poisoning ”

“ Fortunately, lead is a substance very easily detected by chemical tests, and although it was a tedious process away from an analyst's laboratory, by the time I had finished I felt satisfied I had left no stone unturned in my search. In a word, I was unable to find the slightest trace of lead in any of the food samples ”

“ Innes spoke of asking him to witness some share transfers, I thought I discovered a possible hint, and rose to go, but this the elder lady would by no means hear of, and in a little time Louise and I were alone.
Why is it that when a man is most anxious to shine he is pretty sure to make an ass of himself? ”

“ This was rather more than the truth, for, of course, I had had no time to analyse the samples.
"I knows better. 'E's poisonin' of me!"
"Who is? Once more, say what you mean and have done with it."
"Why, Mr. Kirtley, to be sure."
"You must be mad! Isn't he doing all he can to keep you alive, and paying you into the bargain?"
"That's it!" he roared. "'E wants ter stop a-payin' me as he's got to by law—County Court law. 'E wants ter get rid of me!"
I was so astounded that, unfortunately, the old fox saw my embarrassment.
"Well, yer knows it, doctor!" he cried. ”

“ When I got down to Rougholt I found that Adamson's expression was not a mere epigram. Dr. Wild was a man of some means, and appeared to practise more for the sake of an occupation than anything else. He was an active member of the Alpine Club, and I barely saw him before he was off to Switzerland for his holiday. ”

“ Of course, I could find no lead in it. By this time I was growing used to negative results of my analyses; but as the matter was becoming serious, I determined to take the samples with me to Southampton and see what a professional analyst could make of it. There were other reasons moving me to this expedition; but, honestly, Wild's chemicals were not above suspicion of antiquity and consequent inertia. ”

“ The thing for you to do is very simple. If you think you're being poisoned, don't take any food but what your daughter buys and cooks for you. Keep on with the medicine, and I'll send you a draught to quiet you down. ”

“ Presently he began to whimper, and I seized the opportunity to argue with him.
"Look here, Artlett," I said. "I'm quite sure that you're talking utter nonsense. Mr. Kirtley is far too rich a man to notice the loss of what he pays you, even if he were wicked enough to try and kill you ”

“ Here was a possible connection with the "Goose and Gridiron" which I must do my best to investigate.
"Why, what on earth is the matter with you?" I exclaimed when, a couple of hours later, I visited Artlett. His left eye was completely closed by an acute swelling of the lids, a strip of postage-stamp paper concealed what appeared to be a cut across the brow, while his head was swathed in vinegar-soaked rags.
"Ah! Mr. Kirtley was like to get his heart's desire last night."
"Whatever do you mean, Artlett? And, once for all, I must ask you to drop that absurd idea about Mr. ”